The new research is the first to measure community water fluoridation exposure during childhood and any potential impact on cognition up to age 80.

The paper is here

  • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
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    1 month ago

    Why would I want an adjunct in my water? I have no need for it, I don’t want the government wasting money on it.

    It does very little for adult teeth, and is barely a blip compared to the effects of dental care and fluoride toothpaste for children.

    If you feel differently, feel free to add it to your water.

    97% of Europe does not fluoridate their water. Of the seven countries with the lowest tooth decay rates in children in the world, six have no water fluoridation programs.

    Finally in the US there have been four fairly serious fluoride accidents. Also, phosphate rock mining and processing is very hazardous so if you are going to use Flouride use it purposefully, in a toothpaste or rinse, not just distributing it into water. Which, by the way, kids don’t drink a whole lot of.

    • m0darn@lemmy.ca
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      1 month ago

      Why would I want an adjunct in my water?

      To protect the teeth of your neighbour’s kids.

      I don’t want the government wasting money on it.

      Is it a waste of money? It seems quite plausibly cheaper than your suggestion. In Canada we have implemented a national dental care program for people earning under a certain threshold. I think anything we can do to improve the sustainability of that program is a good idea.

      • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
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        1 month ago

        So why is it that 6 of the 7 countries with the lowest amount of caivities do not flouridate their water? Throwing floride around into a substance you use for everything is a poor approach to a problem.

        • m0darn@lemmy.ca
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          1 month ago

          Why is it that 6 of the 7 countries with the lowest amount of caivities do not flouridate their water?

          Probably because of diet or availability of dental care. But if only 4/44 countries in Europe fluoridate, then fluoridating countries are over represented in that example’s 7 ( ie if fluoride didn’t help we would expect it to be 10/11).

          Why did you pick top 7 by the way? Is it 6/8? 6/9? 6/10? It’s an extremely weird threshold and makes me think you’re cherry picking data to suit your narrative.

        • Exatron@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          Because you don’t understand the alleged statistics you’re citing, you don’t understand that flouride is naturally present in most freshwater, that Europe has a different history of how they consume water, and water fluoridation is actually a brilliant approach.

          • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
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            1 month ago

            I do understand the statistics, but I also acknowledge that many cities in Europe have varying levels of flouride in the water and saying “country” does not take into account variations within countries.

            At the same time many places in the world are contaminated with flouride. There is a sweet spot for efficacy of course.

            I am not saying fluoride isn’t helpful. But adding it to water? No thanks. Both places I live do not do this, and neither have higher instances of cavities than anywhere else (given relative incomes, lifestyle, and health care).

            Besides I will say it again, since when do kids drink water?

            • Exatron@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              The fact that you’re still making these ludicrous claims show tbat you don’t understand the statistics, kiddo.

              Adding it to water is cheap and effective, no matter how much you shriek otherwise.

              Do you have any evidence that kids don’t drink water, spud?

              • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
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                1 month ago

                Ludicrous claims? Kiddo?

                Blah blah. You have nothing to say then.

                Given that you can even question that there hasn’t been a shift away from tap water tells me you don’t know what you are talking about.

                But keep saying kiddo, you sound very smart.

                With our screenings and health care programs, without floridated water, we beat every floridated community BY FAR.

                We are talking 4 to 10 times (depending on who you compare us to) better for our children.

                So, you want to flouridate water, or do you want a program with effective results?

                I don’t understand why you would even argue this.

                Look: the point is simple. Education and outreach. Deliver flouride deliberately and with specific doses. Monitor outcomes. This is how you have good results and long term health care.

                Just pumping it into water is not as effective. We know that.

                  • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
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                    1 month ago

                    Do you? I am not arguing flouride is ineffective. I am arguing that you get much better results from a concerted effort rather than, just throw it in the water and hope for the best. The science is behind me.

                    Even in YOUR citation:

                    Most countries in Europe have experienced substantial declines in cavities without the use of water fluoridation due to the introduction of fluoridated toothpaste and the large use of other fluoride-containing products, including mouthrinse, dietary supplements, and professionally applied or prescribed gel, foam, or varnish. For example, in Finland and Germany, tooth decay rates remained stable or continued to decline after water fluoridation stopped in communities

                    We have gone way beyond the average by our methods.

                    Also, just for fun the article you posted suggests that cavities are up to 50 percent genetic. That is interesting. Even more reason to treat the individual instead of just dumping flouride in the water.

                    Also: do look up the research in the us about tap water avoidance particularly among minorities and poor people. There are peer reviewed papers. Let me tell you, the most needed demographic for floridated water is actively avoiding tap water.

    • Exatron@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      You actually do have a need for it. Water flouridation is a safe, simple, and cost effective way to ensure everyone has at least a basic level of oral health.