Juliette’s Science 8 Blog

1. Why do some people disapprove of adding fluoride to drinking water?

2. What would your position be on adding fluoride to drinking water and why?

3. What technological advances in toothpaste had to be made before fluoride could be widely used in toothpaste and mouthwashes?

4. What side effects of using fluoride in drinking water are of most concern to you? Why?

Some people disapprove of fluoride because  they do not know what it is. Since people  now know what fluoride is and how it can protect your teeth from teeth decay It would be smart to put fluoride in your drinking water and tooothpaste. McKay’s quest to determine the cause of the staining ended three decades later with the discovery that town’s drinking water had high levels of naturally occurring fluoride. Subsequent research determined that water fluoride levels below 1 ppm prevent decay without the attendant staining. In a trial launched in 1945, Grand Rapids, Mich., became the first city to fluoridate its water; 11 years later, the benefits of the practice were clear and widespread fluoridation began. Further research, culminating in the late 1940’s established that at optimal concentrations, (0.7 to 1.2 parts per million) fluoride in the water supply gave protection against decay without causing the spotted teeth. Some side effects of fluoride is dental fluorosis. It is caused by having too much fluoride when the teeth are developing. This can happen when fluoride supplements are taken by children under 7 who live in areas where the water supply is fluoridated. It can also happen when children swallow toothpaste. Excessive fluoride can cause your teeth to turn yellow, white spots, and pitting or mottling of enamel. Consequently, the teeth may become unsightly. Fluoride and be good but it can also be bad.