Fluoridation: New Study Confirms the Effectiveness of Fluoridation

Fluoridation over the years has come under examination, being debated by various health experts as to whether it is good or bad for your health. Today many areas of the United States have fluoridated water.

A recent study published in Science Daily and done by the International & American Associations for Dental Research confirms that community water fluoridation has dramatically reduced tooth decay in the United States and especially for young children and adolescents.

Fluoridation Facts Based on Studies

For the past 30 years, there haven’t been many studies that researched the impact on dental health of fluoride in community water. Here were some of the research findings:

• The periods studied were from 1999-2004 and 2011-2014.
• Children and adolescents in the United States with the greatest access to fluoridated water were the least likely to develop cavities.
• Counties where more then 75% of the population had access to fluoridated water saw a 30% reduction in dental caries.
• These studies were consistent with findings from studies done 50 years ago that also showed benefits on cavity reduction through the use of fluoridation in water.
• Children from the ages of two to eight benefited the most from fluoridation.

Many studies have been done on fluoride to determine whether it has any adverse health effects. In 2014, a study concluded that fluoride in water did not adversely affect children’s mental development or adults’ IQs. A study done in England in 2015 linked water fluoridation underactive thyroid glands.

A study in 2016 was done to determine whether there was a link between diabetes and fluoride, and researchers used mathematical models to analyze fluoride water levels and the incidence of diabetes. They discovered a positive association, although obesity and other factors were also indicated. Natural environmental fluoride was found to have a protective effect from diabetes.

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