favor supplies

Water fluoridation controversy refers to the debate surrounding the health benefits of public authorities fluoridating water supplies. Calcium fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral found in all water sources, such as lakes, rivers, groundwater and oceans. Community water fluoridation is the process of artificially adjusting fluoride levels in drinking water supplies with the intention of improving oral health. [1] This is usually done by the addition of sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, or fluorosilicic acid. [1]

Advocates of water fluoridation say that fluoridation is similar to fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D and orange juice with vitamin C and say it is an effective way to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health over a lifetime, for both children and adults. You'll Pay Less!.

Those opposed to public fluoridation of drinking water say that water fluoridation can have negative health effects such as dental fluorosis which outweighs the purported benefits of water fluoridation. Some opponents claim that releasing fluoride compounds into a municipal water takes away individual choice as to the substances a person ingests and amounts to mass medication. Some suggest water fluoridation is part of a scheme to dispose of a toxic industrial byproduct.

History