Government Agencies Agree Too Much Fluoride

It has been all over the media lately the ongoing controversy over fluoride. Medical experts for long have insisted that fluoride is not only cost effective but assists in dental hygiene. On the opposing side are some physicians along with experts in the science community who are maintaining that there are health risks involved with fluoride and its benefits at best are questionable.

Not more than three days ago the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had announced that they are now taking steps to ensure guidelines and standards on fluoride in drinking water will remain to provide protective dental health but will be done so by the lowest possible levels which can be obtained.

The HSS would like these levels set at the lowest end of the maximum range to prevent tooth decay. The EPA states they are in the process of reviewing what the maximum levels should be.

Together the EPA and HSS state that their actions are geared to maintaining the health benefits that water fluoridation brings but at the same time safeguard overall human health especially the health of children.

Peter Silva, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water stated that both agencies (EPA and HSS) are making announcements based upon the most recent scientific data available. The new analysis done by the EPA will aide in making sure that people benefit from prevention of tooth decay while simultaneous avoid the unwanted negative effects of too much fluoride.

Dental fluorosis can happen in children eight years of age or younger. It comes from the excessive intake of fluoride during a child's time of tooth development. The functioning of enamel-forming cells can be disturbed, which in turn stops the normal growth of the enamel. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. The range of symptoms all depends upon the levels of fluoride intake. In mild cases, small white areas appear on the enamel. In severe cases the teeth appear stained and speckled.

The EPA and HSS have stated they have reached an agreement after reviewing available information from science with regard to the benefits of fluoride and the possible risks to children.

Today Americans are exposed to fluoride more than they had been in the 1940's when fluoride was first put into water. In today's world excluding the water many people intake fluoride from tooth paste, being applied at the dentist office, in prescription fluoride supplements and mouth rinses.

The HSS does emphasize that impressive decline in tooth decay in the United States over the past seventy years has been mainly due to fluoride in water and toothpaste.

Currently the recommendations range from 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. The HSS is suggesting a recommendation of 0.7 milligrams with no upper limit.

The HSS sincerely holds belief that their recommendation can apply to both issues protecting dental health and the protection of human health meaning side effects in general.

American Dental Association Commends HSS Actions

The American Dental Association has applauded the actions of the Federal agencies that are responsible for public health and safety for the adjustment ratio of fluoride to water which the consider the maximum based upon scientific assessment along with the total appreciation of fluoride from all received sources.

The American Dental Association (ADA) is a science based organization and they are in total support of the HSS recommendation for setting the level of fluoridated water at 0.7 parts per million. It is noted as an effective level for both areas of reducing tooth decay and minimizing fluorosis in the general populace.

CDC is behind the 0.7 rate

The CDC on January 8^th of this month had released a report in which two out of five children display signs of fluoride poisoning (streaking or spotting on teeth or pitting of teeth due to fluorosis. The CDC's conclusion was that fluoride levels do need to be lowered in municipal water supplies to bring it to 0.7.

However is it enough some answer no

Professor Paul Connett who is the executive director of Fluoride Action Network which is initiating a fight against fluoride in the water in the United States, states this action should have happened years ago.

However, Professor Connett states that this action still has not gone far enough yet. He states the CDC and ADA are claiming the only issue for concern is fluorosis and are ignoring all other health issues. That is they were serious about decreasing dental fluorosis they would omit fluoride in the water all together. If not the next best thing would be to warn parent's in fluoridated areas not to use fluoridated tap water to mix infant formula.

Professor Connett is not alone in his stand. A dentist had told ABC news he believes that fluoride should not be in the water at all.

The dentist is Dr. Griffin Cole from Austin, Texas and has aired his views to ABC News.

Dr. Cole's Opinion

Dr. Cole states adamantly that he has never prescribed fluoride supplements to his patients. He states that previous studies have associated excess fluoride not only to dental fluorosis but also to higher rates of bone cancer in test subjects. He also notes that osteoporosis was an additional concern since fluoride which is ingested sits on the bones of a person.

Fluoride ingested in any type does nothing for the teeth. In cases of fast tooth decay a topical fluoride can be applied to improve dental health but only by a small margin.

Dr. Cole remarks that fluoride molds to the tooth's enamel and while it is helping to prevent tooth decay at the same time it could possibly make the teeth brittle.

In cases of bad fluorosis to restore the teeth they either have to be crowned totally or a veneer must be done. This is expensive to fix.

Dr. Koh, assistant secretary of health at HHS suggests that the EPA and HSS also has recommend that municipalities lower the fluoride levels in their drinking water.

Dr. Koh closing statement released to ABC News is the current main issue is mild fluorosis in children and it is anticipated that with this current adjustment it will be going lower.

Currently a Statement Calling for End to Fluoridation Worldwide has been signed by 3,240 medical, scientific and environmental professionals. The statement may be viewed on line at Fluoride Action Network.

In April 2005, researchers had cautioned that infant formulas prepared with fluoride water does increase risk for dental fluorosis. The research had shown three times more likely fluorosis in children consuming one milligram per liter of fluoridated water in comparison to those who drank non-fluoridated water.

Fluoride water and cancer

A study conducted in 1990 by the US National Toxicology Program noted that researchers had found uncertain evidence that cancer causing possibility of fluoridated drinking water in male rats, based on higher than number of cases that what researchers had expected. The suspect cancer was osteosarcoma a type of bone cancer. However, there was no evidence present for the potential cancer in female rats or male and female mice.

When looking at all evidence from various studies it was noted that further studies were needed to determine an association of the possibility of cancer and fluoridated water.

To avoid fluoridation

Purify the water first is always a good way to start. Purchase a water purifier.

Avoid commercially grown foods and try consuming organic or locally grown foods such as at farmers markets.

Be careful of processed foods such as instant tea and grape juice products and even soy milk for babies. They contain high amounts of sodium fluoride.

Magnesium stops the absorption of fluoride to the cells.

Calcium appears to aide in attracting fluoride to away from the bones and teeth so your body can emit them.

Liver Cleanses are known to be effective for the elimination of fluorides in the body. There are two kinds noted to be available and can be done at home. They can be found online such as at Herbal Provider.

Dry saunas have also been noted to work effectively when combined with exercise. It will release the sodium fluoride stored in fatty tissues.

There is a list of foods which contain fluoride available for view online at the PFPC, The Fluoride Education Project.

If you would like to take action against fluoride in water there is information on the Fluoride Action Network on the Take Action page.

Sources:

Calgary Herald

CDC

Medical News Today: 146 and 212

ABC News

Natural News

American Cancer Society