April 14, 2004

By: Nancy Hope
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Tooth Decay Prevention – Fluoridated Water Is The Safest Alternative

The Utah Poison Control Center says that community fluoridated water is the safest alternative to prevent tooth decay, and would result in a decreased number of unintentional toxic fluoride exposures due to in-home fluoride supplements which are accessible to children.

It would also decrease subsequent adverse health effects and emergency room visits in Salt Lake County. Without fluoridation of water supplies, many children take fluoride supplements, states Barbara Insley Crouch, UPCC Director and E. Martin Cavarati, Medical Director. Potentially toxic fluoride exposures occur because fluoride supplements are readily available in the home.

In 1999, the UPCC responded to nearly 600 calls for assistance following unintentional ingestion of large amounts of fluoride supplements, with all but ten calls involving children.

Fluoride supplements are often dispensed in bottles of 1,000 chewable and pleasant tasting tablets. When too much fluoride in consumed, as in an unintentional ingestion by a child, it can produce adverse effects and toxic reactions, with the most common being nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Large ingestions of fluoride require emergency room referrals and evaluations.

Fluoridation of community water, however, is a safer alternative to prevent tooth decay, continues Crouch and Cavarati. For a child to get a toxic dose of fluoride from drinking water, they would have to consume 22 gallons of water in a four hour period. Additionally, adults would have to consume 660 gallons of water at the optimal fluoridated level of 1.0 ppm in a four hour period to be harmful.

Author Notes:

Nancy Hope contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!