Google water fluoridation and there are a plethora of links to click on. Many warn of the risks and dangers, while numerous others explain the benefits and dismiss the "risks" as not supported by scientific evidence. Now I admit, I have been avoiding added fluoride like the plague. We don't drink the tap water, I won't let the dentist give my children fluoride treatments, don't want fluoride in our toothpaste or in rinses, and would refuse fluoride pills (which apparently the doctors suggest to those who don't have a fluoridated water source). If you asked me why, I admit, until recently, I only had a vague understanding of the logic behind my staunch stance. But my instinct makes up for this, as my instinct is huge!
Years ago, I recall reading a journal article that taught me a lot about how this whole fluoride push came about. And as I research today, I am reminded of the initial rationale. It was observed that communities in which the fluoride content of the water supply was naturally high (presumably from naturally occurring fluoride which entered the water from the rocks over which the water flowed) had less dental caries than communities in which the water's fluoride content was low. This makes sense. However the extension of this logic ceases in my opinion to be as logical and comfortable. Because naturally occurring fluoride assists in making more cavity resistance in tooth enamel, it is assumed that adding fluoride which is bound up in not so naturally occurring forms "should" do the same, without harm. And it appears that the fluoride, according to the "scholarly" articles detaches in the water from what it has been attached in the process of creating these fluoride "additives," rendering in no different in respect to how it will be taken up by our bodies and utilized.
I don't claim to be a scientist, though I consider myself a rational, well reasoned woman. And I beg to differ. In my experience, when something is created through less than natural means, the breakdown of said substance usually releases something less than ideal, and often creates an unforeseen and sometimes unnoticed consequence. It appears, at this point, this is not a generally accepted fact, at least not by the scientific community, but it appears there is much concern out there in other, less "scientific" folk. Does that mean that this concern is not valid? I would say not necessarily. Just because something can not be corroborated by scientific research and studies does not assure that it has no basis. It does encourage me to look further, as I am a big fan of erring on the side of caution, not fixing it if it "ain't" broke, and hearing my intuition.
So in my humble opinion, good oral hygiene and a diet low in sugar and added sweeteners is a recipe for success. And please hold the fluoride (but not in your hand... the form that they add to the water is quite dangerous, acutally "toxic" before it separates from the elements to which it is attached.... Hmmm very interesting....).
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