What is Flouride?
Fluorine is a highly reactive element which likes to bond with
other elements. These combinations are often salts and the fluorine
part is called flouride. Hence fluorine added to water has commonly
become known as fluoride. Fluoride occurs naturally in the water
in certain areas of the world and people in these areas exhibit
mottling of the teeth (dental fluorosis). This often occurs in
volcanic environments eg. Naples in Italy, Pilansberg in South
Africa.
Fluoride and the Water Supply
As of 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
statistics show that almost 66% of the U.S. population receives
fluoridated water through the taps in their homes. Some communities
have naturally occurring fluoride in their water; others add it
at water-processing plants.
Some parents purchase bottled water for their children to drink
instead of tap water. The growing bottled water industry claims
that bottled water is safer, purer, mineral-free, and better tasting,
and that may be true in some cases. But most bottled waters also
lack fluoride. Fluoridated bottled water is one exception - it
can sometimes be found in the baby-food aisle at the grocery store,
usually labeled as baby water or nursery water.
Is Fluoride in drinking water safe?
The controversy over fluoride in our water supplies stems from
advocacy groups publishing reports on the hazards of fluoridation.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) reviewed research on dental
cavities prevention and public policy, including fluoridation.
It agreed with antifluoride activists that many studies in this
area are of poor quality. However, the NIH panel concluded that
the unevenness of research does not invalidate the clear benefits
of fluoride.
If some fluoride is good, why not give children as much fluoride
as possible? As with most minerals and vitamins, overexposure
can be harmful. Most children get the right amount of fluoride
through a combination of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated
water or supplements.
Too much fluoride before 8 years of age can cause enamel fluorosis,
a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth. This condition
is unsightly but harmless and often can be treated with cosmetic
procedures.
Most cases of fluorosis occur in children who take unnecessary
daily fluoride supplements even though they brush regularly with
fluoridated toothpaste and their home's tap water contains good
levels of fluoride. Misuse of fluoride products, including rinses
and toothpaste, also can contribute to fluorosis, but this is
less common.
Very rarely, fluoride toxicity can occur when large amounts of
fluoride are ingested during a short period of time. Children
under age 6 account for more than 80% of reports of suspected
overingestion. Although outcomes are generally not serious, fluoride
toxicity sends several hundred children to emergency rooms each
year.
Symptoms of fluoride toxicity may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, increased salivation, or increased thirst. Symptoms
begin 30 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours.
If you suspect your child may have eaten a substantial amount
of a fluoridated product or supplement, call the poison control
center or 911.
|
