Water Fluoridation

Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of the halogen gas fluoride into the public water supply. It is intended to promote better oral health and reduce tooth decay. However this well-intended act has spawned certain doubt among the public and with doubt come theories. These conspiracies began in the 1940s and developed during the following twenty years. Those who introduced these theories believed their government wanted to create a socialist or communist regime. In their minds, fluoridation was only the first step in a plot to control the American people.

 It was said that this was to weaken the brainpower of an American generation. These views began to subside within the next few decades and by the 1990s most public water contained fluoride. Fluoride was recently removed from the public water supply in my area, but considering I grew up with it all my life, I don’t really think it causes any health problems. Even though I don’t think it causes any problems, it was ironically removed due to health concerns. I’m not too sure of the long term consequences of fluoridation but I wouldn’t want to find out with me as the guinea pig. Now the other reason people were against the fluoridation I don’t agree with. I don’t really think that making the population drink water containing fluoride ions is best way to control them. Fluoride ions just aren’t a very convincing way to control people; however a complex chemical seems more likely to influence the mind. 

The acceptable concentrations levels are around 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L.

The conspiracies associated with fluoridation have mostly declined since the 1960s but safety concerns have filled that void. As I mentioned earlier fluoride was removed from the public water supply in my area due to safety concerns such as dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and weakened bones. These only occur with extremely elevated concentrations of fluoride exposure during tooth development but seeing as water fluoridation is “controlled” I don’t see it as a concern. Basically I don’t really see any problem with fluoridation and I’m indifferent on it being a part of my water supply.