Flouride in tap water - yay or nay?

[anonymous-user]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/76042...

Seems the powers that be are planning on adding flouride to the tap water where I live, in an attempt to prevent tooth decay. Apparently campaigners are equally vociferous on both sides of the arguement and unfortunately I have no idea whether this is a good or a bad thing. So, in true PH style, I'll ask the P&P for their knowledge, is adding it a good or a bad idea?

[LeoZwalf]

Thought that'd been happening for years?!

[OllieC]

i only drink rainwater and pure grain alcohol. flouridation of the water its a commie plot im telling you lionel my boy

[968]

Symbolica said:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/76042...

Seems the powers that be are planning on adding flouride to the tap water where I live, in an attempt to prevent tooth decay. Apparently campaigners are equally vociferous on both sides of the arguement and unfortunately I have no idea whether this is a good or a bad thing. So, in true PH style, I'll ask the P&P for their knowledge, is adding it a good or a bad idea?

It's a good thing. Lots of evidence to support benefits to teeth, little evidence to support any danger, in the doses used in water supplies. It does already happen in some areas, and in other countries.

[Pigeon]

Indeed the benefits of putting fluoride in the water were realised by working out why it was that people living in certain areas had better teeth than others... it turned out those areas had naturally high fluoride concentrations in the water.

I must say I am amazed there is anywhere in Britain that does not have fluoride added to the water if the natural concentration is <1ppm, I thought it had been universal for ages.

[mybrainhurts]

No...

Plenty of this poison in toothpaste, no need to put it in water.

[bigdods]

Apparently it can give boys cancer and is a hazardous chemical that is going to poison us all.

:skeptic mode: Well according this link to a company that sells water purifiers.... :/skeptic mode:


http://www.uk-water-filters.co.uk/fluoride_informa...

Edited by bigdods on Monday 8th September 22:02

[Parrot of Doom]

Better to remove the causes of tooth decay, than try and treat it. Especially treating people who may not need it.

[968]

mybrainhurts said:

No...

Plenty of this poison in toothpaste, no need to put it in water.

There's a very good reason, ie the disgusting dentition of british people. Poor dental hygiene is the precursor of many other systemic diseases, which have a far higher prevalence that osteosarcoma which is extremely rare.

[hairykrishna]

OllieC said:

i only drink rainwater and pure grain alcohol. flouridation of the water its a commie plot im telling you lionel my boy

It's true. It's corrupting our precious bodily fluids.

[Yugguy]

I shouldn't be forced to ingest flouride because tards can't brush their teeth.

[968]

Yugguy said:

I shouldn't be forced to ingest flouride because tards can't brush their teeth.

You've probably ingested it already, and it's done no harm to you at all. The implication otherwise is hysterical nonsense.

[Yugguy]

968 said:

Yugguy said:

I shouldn't be forced to ingest flouride because tards can't brush their teeth.

You've probably ingested it already, and it's done no harm to you at all. The implication otherwise is hysterical nonsense.

Hehehehe, I was waiting for that response as it was exactly what was said when I posted the same thing in a flouride thread months ago. Plus ca change and all that...

[Pigeon]

Well naturally, the fundamental biological/medical facts that make anti-fluoride-ism hysterical nonsense haven't changed in the last few months, so it still is hysterical nonsense and the same replies apply.

[King Herald]

Yugguy said:

I shouldn't be forced to ingest flouride because tards can't brush their teeth.

Exactly the reason I don't want it!

It is like banning booze because a few people cause trouble when drunk.

or adding that pregnancy drug thing to ALL bread because some 200 women are too stupid to take it when pregnant.

[Simpo Two]

Firstly, it's fluoride, a compound of fluorine.

Secondly, it hardens tooth enamel which makes it more resistant to decay.

If you drink a bucket of it, it is probably toxic, but then so would anything else be.

As free/cheap dentistry is now over (thanks Labour), we need all the help we can get to keep our teeth for longer.

This mass fear of anything slightly scientific which is not on X-Factor is a pathetic tragedy of our times - just like running scared of MMR has proved retrogressive. Ignorance + media frenzy = fear = dark ages.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 8th September 19:16

[968]

Simpo Two said:

Firstly, it's fluoride, a compound of fluorine.

Secondly, it hardens tooth enamel which makes it more resistant to decay.

If you drink a bucket of it, it is probably toxic, but then so would anything else be.

As free/cheap dentistry is now over (thanks Labour), we need all the help we can get to keep our teeth for longer.

This mass fear of anything slightly scientific which is not on X-Factor is a pathetic tragedy of our times - just like running scared of MMR has proved retrogressive. Ignorance + media frenzy = fear = dark ages.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 8th September 19:16

Shock horror... Stop the press... Simpo Two talking sense! Amazing......

[Flintstone]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was completely flummoxed as to what flouride was

[Simpo Two]

968 said:

Shock horror... Stop the press... Simpo Two talking sense! Amazing......

I think we are generally in agreement in practical matters!

[Yugguy]

Flintstone said:

Thanks for clearing that up. I was completely flummoxed as to what flouride was

It's a substance added to bread as part of a sinister Labour plot to control us all.