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Brooke Bruinsma

Mr. Rudebusch

English Comp. IV

16 December 2016

Research Paper

Who doesnt want that perfect smile with pearly white teeth, right? Most people

would agree that they desire to have clean and white teeth. Most remedies to maintain

healthy teeth involve Fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that can be found in your diet,

water, or dental products. It is a common variable used to benefit oral health. Fluoride

operates to prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth. Dental Health and Fluoride

Treatment is an article by WebMD that gives facts about what Fluoride is, how its

used, and its benefits and risks; this article states, Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay

by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in

the mouth. It also reverses early decay. Fluoride is a major component when it comes

to keeping our teeth in significant condition. However, using or consuming Fluoride can

have risky side effects-nausea, vomiting, and Fluorosis-if you happen to swallow too

much of it. Fluoride is a controversial topic when it comes to being in products. This

essay covers Fluoride in water and in toothpaste. Fluoridated water has become popular

over the years and is used almost everywhere, but usually, you dont have a say in

whether you use it or not. Almost every toothpaste includes Fluoride because of its

benefits, but there are Fluoride-free toothpastes for those against Fluoride. Many anti-

Fluoride activists believe that Fluoride in toothpaste and water is dangerous because it

can cause vomiting, nausea, defects to teeth, and even Fluorosis; however, in most cases,
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it actually doesnt cause any of those symptoms unless an abnormally large amount is

swallowed or used-which is uncommon. Therefore, fluoridated water and toothpaste

should not be a concern.

Arguments arise from the benefits of Fluoridated water and if health problems

come along with it. Raising the Fluoride content in water was first introduced to the

United States in 1945, and it has continued to spread throughout the states. There have

been assumptions that the increase of Fluoride in water can lead to health defects.

Websites exist that give opinions and facts that go against fluoride; for example,

nofluoride.com expresses forceful opinions from people that are strongly against

Fluoride, especially in water. On the website, Dr. Charles Gordon Heyd, past President

of the American Medical Association, asserts, "I am appalled at the prospect of using

water as a vehicle for drugs. Fluoride is a corrosive poison that will produce serious

effects on a long range basis. Any attempt to use water this way is deplorable."

Obviously, he disagrees with Fluoridated water and is disgusted that it is available

almost everywhere in the nation. Fluoridated water is contemplated that it leads to an

increased risk in developing cancer. The American Cancer Society created a website that

addresses facts and concerns some may have about cancer. On their website,

cancer.org, a passage says, One theory on how fluoridation might affect the risk of

osteosarcoma is based on the fact that fluoride tends to collect in parts of bones where

they are growing The theory is that fluoride might somehow cause the cells in the

growth plate to grow faster, which might make them more likely to eventually become

cancerous. This theory may be true, and Fluoridated water may cause cancer. Studies

are always being done to see if these assumptions are trustworthy. On Fluoridealert.org,

there is a section that confronts a study done by Harvard scientists in 2006 that shows
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results of Fluoridated water having a connection with raised increase of Osteosarcoma

at certain ages: Osteosarcoma is a rare, but deadly, form of cancer that strikes primarily

during the teenage years. A national case control study published in 2006 by Harvard

scientists found that boys exposed to fluoridated water during their 6 th, 7th, and 8th years

of life (the mid-childhood growth spurt) had significantly elevated risk of developing

osteosarcoma during adolescence. (Bassin 2006). If Fluoride is causing these issues,

more studies should be done to get the evidence they need for it to be proven, instead of

assumed.

Fluoride is very common in toothpaste, and there are risks for accidentally

swallowing it. If you happen to swallow too much toothpaste, the Fluoride can cause

discoloration or issues concerning the skin and stomach. According to the Fluoride

Action Network, an organization, including notable doctors, researchers, and scientists,

that gives recent information and facts about Fluoride, the FDA has made rules about

labeling on toothpaste: In 1997, the FDA ordered toothpaste manufacturers to add a

poison warning on all fluoride toothpastes sold in the U.S. The warning reads: Keep out

of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for

brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately. The

U.S. made sure that people are aware of the amount of Fluoride they will be exposed to

when brushing their teeth with the toothpaste they choose. Toothpaste is used in all

ages, two times a day. High amounts of Fluoride in toothpaste can also lead to Dental

Fluorosis, a condition resulting in defects to the tooth enamel. The Fluoride Action

Network backs this up by saying, In its mild forms, dental fluorosis presents as cloudy

white splotches and streaks on the teeth, while in its moderate and severe forms,

fluorosis can cause extensive brown and black staining along with pitting and crumbling
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of the enamel. Dental Fluorosis can be a serious problem if not prevented. Obviously

Fluoride in toothpaste can cause many problems. Sometimes you cant trust those who

are against it because they might not have the background knowledge they need to make

these decisions about Fluoridated toothpaste. However, Dr. Bill Osmunson, who is a

full-time dentist and has a master degree in Public Health (MPH), gave his opinion and

mindset about Fluoride in toothpaste:

Once fluoride became accepted as wonderful, we started putting it in

toothpaste and of course there are the pesticides, the creolite, and the post-

harvest fumigants. And then there are the dental fillings, the dental topical

treatment, the fluoride varnishes in the medical products, and the Teflon pansI

started to look at how much are we getting. We're getting much more; two-three

times more than what we were when they started fluoridation."

He has the background and experience in this work field to make these assumptions.

The amount of Fluoride you are exposed to needs to be watched, and this quote can

satisfy those looking for confirmation.

Conversely, many studies have been done that go against the myths about

Fluoridated water- proving that it is safe. Major health organizations like the American

Dental Association-Americas leading advocate for oral health, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention-organization that oversees all health related issues, and the

World Health Organization-who concerns about the international public health, agree

that Fluoride in water has done nothing but benefit the public health. They have studied

the effects of raised Fluoride amounts in water and have found no evidence that leads to

health problems. American Dental Association has a website that includes a section to

provide information about Fluoride to the public: More than 70 years of scientific
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research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is

safe and effective in preventing tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults.

Fluoridated water does not come with risks to our health; it comes with benefits to our

oral health. The American Cancer Society gave information over the debate of

Fluoridated water on their website, cancer.org, that suggests there isnt a true

connection. It states, In 1991, the US Public Health Service issued a report on the

benefits and risks of fluoride. When looking at a possible link with cancer, they first

reviewed the results of studies done with lab animals. They concluded that the few

studies available fail[ed] to establish an association between fluoride and cancer. They

also looked at population-based studies, including a large study conducted by the

National Cancer Institute. They concluded: Optimal fluoridation of drinking water does

not pose a detectable cancer risk to humans as evidenced by extensive human

epidemiological data available to date, including the new studies prepared for this

report. With there being more evidence showing that Fluoride in water is beneficial, I

believe that Fluoride should continue being added to our tap water to prevent tooth

decay. The graph shown to the left exhibits the decline of tooth decay as Fluoridated

water and toothpaste became more popular.

Toothpaste containing Fluoride is actually the most beneficial for your teeth. The

Dental Health Foundation asserts on their website, http://www.dentalhealth.ie, that

Fluoride toothpastes make up more than 95% of all toothpaste sales. It is well

recognized that the decline in the prevalence of dental caries recorded in most

industrialized countries over the past 30 years can be attributed mainly to the

widespread use of toothpaste that contain fluoride. Most citizens use Fluoride

toothpaste, and it has no effect on them, except white and healthy teeth. There are
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specific kid-friendly toothpastes for those too young to be exposed to Fluoride.

Therefore, there is no reason for parents to be overly concerned for their kids about

using toothpaste. Fluoride in toothpaste makes brushing your teeth more effective. It

increases the amount of bacteria that is destroyed and helps remove plaque. The

American Dental Association expresses the job of Fluoride toothpaste by stating, It

helps remove plaque, a film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums every day. Plaque

can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by

strengthening tooth enamel. While using Fluoride-free toothpaste, you dont get the

cleaning you need when brushing. Developing Dental Fluorosis is very unlikely from

Fluoride toothpaste unless you swallow an abnormally large amount. You can prevent it

by being careful while brushing your teeth and rinsing you mouth after. Fluoride

toothpaste is the most efficient type of toothpaste and should continue being used for

the best oral care.

There will always be differed opinions over Fluoride and its involvement in

Fluoridated water and toothpaste. It is important to know that facts behind each side of

the debates. Fluoridated water doesnt come as a choice for most citizens and some

express that this goes against their freedoms. Anti-Fluoride activists believe that the

water increases health defects and can cause cancer. However, studies have shown that

there arent any real connections between Fluoridated water and cancer. It has only

shown decreases in tooth decay and a positive impact on the oral health throughout the

nation. By using Fluoridated toothpaste, you are exposing yourself to more Fluoride

which raises your risks to obtain side effects. However, these side effects are uncommon

and can be prevented. You can control how much Fluoride you consume by watching

your diet and being careful not to swallow any toothpaste. Fluoride needs to be a factor
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in our oral hygiene. The American Academy of Pediatrics has an online campaign for

dental health. On the website for their campaign, they note dependable information

about Fluoride in water and toothpaste:

Fluoridation remains critically important to combat tooth decay.

Although the nations oral health has improved overall during the past 50 years,

tooth decay is still the most common chronic childhood disease, 5 times more

common than asthma. Brushing with Fluoride toothpaste twice a day is

important. So is seeing a dentist regularly. At a time when more than 100

million Americans lack dental insurance, fluoridation offers an easy, inexpensive

preventive strategy from which everyone benefits simply by turning on their tap.

Our oral hygiene depends on Fluoride to keep our teeth and gums clean and decrease

the amount of bacteria. Fluoridation has been the most beneficial factor in decreasing

tooth decay in the nation, and it needs to stay around. Overall, the benefits of Fluoride

in water and toothpaste outweigh its possible side effects and drawbacks.