Regarding the OP, that's why I drink only distilled water, or rain water, and only pure-grain alcohol.
(Even though Charlatan beat me to it, I couldn't help myself).
I'm curious about research on either side of the issue. Just because a study was done before 1970, does not make automatically make it invalid. People in memory research still cite Ebbinghaus (1885).
Also, there are many, many, many studies on community water fluoridation done every year. I don't have the time or energy to read them, but a quick search of medline revealed quite a few. (Maybe a couple of hundred since 2005). The consensus does appear to be that fluoridation does reduce caries.
Quote:
Armfield, J M; Spencer, A J Community effectiveness of fissure sealants and the effect of fluoridated water consumption. Community Dent Health 24 (1) : 4-11 2007 Mar
The reduction in caries increment attributable to fissure sealing increased across fluoridated water exposure categories--a 36.4% reduction was found for children with 0% exposure (p > 0.05), a 55.0% reduction for children with intermediate exposure (p < 0.01), and an 82.4% reduction for children with 100% lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (p < 0.001).
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Here's an abstract from a position paper by the American Dietetic Association in 2005.
Quote:
Palmer, Carole; Wolfe, Stanton H
Position of the American Dietetic Association: the impact of fluoride on health.
J Am Diet Assoc 105 (10) : 1620-8 2005 Oct
Abstract: The American Dietetic Association reaffirms that fluoride is an important element for all mineralized tissues in the body. Appropriate fluoride exposure and usage is beneficial to bone and tooth integrity and, as such, has an important, positive impact on oral health as well as general health throughout life. Fluoride is an important element in the mineralization of bone and teeth. The proper use of topical and systemic fluoride has resulted in major reductions in dental caries (tooth decay) and its associated disability. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have named fluoridation of water as one of the 10 most important public health measures of the 20th century. Nearly 100 national and international organizations recognize the public health benefits of community water fluoridation for preventing dental caries. However, by the year 2000, over one third of the US population (over 100 million people) were still without this critical public health measure. Fluoride also plays a role in bone health. However, the use of high doses of fluoride for prevention of osteoporosis is considered experimental at this point. Dietetics professionals should routinely monitor and promote the use of systemic and topical fluorides, especially in children and adolescents. The American Dietetic Association strongly reaffirms its endorsement of the appropriate use of systemic and topical fluorides, including water fluoridation, at appropriate levels as an important public health measure throughout the life span.
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