Fluoridation is a highly emotional and controversial issue in which it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction. The bottom line is: Is it effective? Is it safe?

Dr. Dean Burk, who has spent more than fifty years in cancer research, mainly at the National Cancer Institute states: "More people have died in the last thirty years from cancer connected with fluoridation than all the military deaths in the entire history of the United States." (1)

Fluoride toxicity has been linked to genetic damage in plants and animals, birth defects in humans, especially Down’s syndrome, plus a whole series of allergic reactions ranging from fatigue, headaches, urinary tract irritations, diarrhea and many others. (2) The Marier Rose study, "Environmental Fluoride- 1977’ by the National Research Council of Canada documents the mutagenic and chromosomal effects of fluoride as well as the evidence that chronic intake of fluoride interferes with the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, manganese and vitamin C.

If all these problems can arise from too much fluoride, why do we have artificial fluoridation? Why do we add sodium fluoride to our drinking water? The main reason given by pro-fluoridationists is that up to 1 part per million (ppm) or 1 mg/L per liter of fluoride will reduce tooth decay. However, no genuine scientific research has supported this contention.

Court testimony from a Illinois trial on fluoridation reveals that although attempts have been made, the United States Center for Disease Control, and the British Ministry of Health admit that no laboratory experiment has ever shown that 1 ppm fluoride of the drinking water is effective in reducing tooth decay. Furthermore, they admit that there are no epidemiological studies or humans showing fluoridation reduces tooth decay that would meet the minimum requirement of scientific objectivity. After a forty day trial, Judge Ronald A. Newman ruled, "a conclusion that fluoride is a safe and effective means of promoting dental health cannot be supported by this record. (3) A full account of fluoridation and how it has become a political instead of a scientific issue is fully documented in Dr. John Yiamouyiannis book, "Fluoride: The Aging Factor". (4)

Dr. Burk believes the most that can be given to the fluoridation argument is that up to the age of puberty there may be a temporary delay of about one tooth decay. When you look at the problems fluoride may or does cause, this insignificant temporary reduction in a single tooth's decay is meaningless. Let’s face it; tooth decay is not a fluoride deficiency disease. In most cases, tooth decay is caused by malnutrition and poor dietary habits, especially the over consumption of sugar and refined foods.

Yet, how is it that we have been led to believe that fluoride in drinking water results in less tooth decay? I think this confusion originated in 1942 in Hereford, Texas, which was heralded as a ‘town without a toothache.’ Drinking water in Hereford, Texas had 2.3 to 3.2 ppm of natural fluoride. But it also had generous amounts of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. The pro-fluoridationists pointed to fluoride as the reason for low levels of dental cavities. But Dr. G. W. Heard a Hereford dentist for thirty-five years, called attention to the hard drinking water as the possible reason for the benefits. "The damage fluoride does "Dr. Heard stated, "is far greater than the good it may appear to accomplish." (1)

Colorado Springs, Colorado also has a high level of fluoride in its drinking water at 2.5 ppm, yet has a very high level of cavities. The Colorado Springs drinking water is very soft, low in calcium and magnesium. The water in Hereford, Texas was very hard high in calcium and magnesium. The beneficial element is hardness not fluoride levels.

Worldwide there is very little fluoridation! In fact, many countries that previously adopted fluoridation have stopped. A few examples: Germany discontinued fluoridation in 1971 for health and legal reasons after eighteen years of experiments. Spain discontinued fluoridation and forbid it by law. France never considered it essential to good health. Sweden uses no fluoridation and has forbidden it by law. It was discontinued in 1969 after a ten year experimental program. The World Health Organization (WHO) was asked by the Swedish government to produce evidence to support its earlier claim that fluoridation was safe. No evidence was produced and Parliament declared fluoridation illegal in November of 1971. (5) Many more countries are listed in "Healthy Water For A Longer Life".

"One tenth of all cancer deaths in this country," Dr. Burk states, can be shown to be linked to foundation of public drinking water." That’s 45,000 extra cancer deaths a year. It’s ten times the numbers who die from asbestos induced cancer and exceeds deaths from breast cancer. Yet, 45% of the people in the U.S. continue to drink fluoridated water.

High levels of fluoride, artificial or natural can be harmful to our health. "The softer the water the more fluoride passes through the intestinal wall." (3) Experiments show that when the water is hard less fluoride is absorbed. Therefore if you are drinking hard water, the harmful effects of fluoride will be minimized.

If you want healthy teeth, correct your diet, drink hard water and avoid the addition of sodium fluoride to your drinking water. Also, there are special filters which can remove fluoride yet leaves the hardness in the water.

References 1.Burk D. Fluoridation A Burning Controversy. Bestways, April, 1982: 45-44. 2.Waldbott GL Burgstahler AW, McKinney Hl. Fluoridation: The Great Dilemma. Lawrence KS: Coronado Press, 1978. 3.Yiamouyiannis JA. Everything You Wanted to Known About Fluoridation – But Were Afraid to Ask, A Discovery Deposition. Monrovia, CA: National Health Federation, 1977. 4.Yiamouyiannis JA. Fluoride: The Ageing Factor. Delaware, OH: Health Action Press, 1983. 5.Burk D. Personal Communication. May 13, 1983.

Source: - Healthy Water, Dr. Martin Fox, PhD