Fluoride Linked to Gum Disease, study shows

New York -- May 2007 -- Scientists report a link between dental
fluorosis and periodontal disease in the June 2007 Indian Journal of
Dental Research. (1)



Dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown stained and/or pitted
teeth - is a visual manifestation of fluoride overdose during
childhood. Dental fluorosis afflicts from 1/3 to 1/2 of U.S.
schoolchildren, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. (2)



Inhabitants of the Davangere district of India were studied where
natural water fluoride levels ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 parts-per-million
(ppm) which is similar to fluoride levels allowed in U.S. water
supplies (up to 4 ppm). The sample consisted of 1,029 subjects between
15- and 74-years-old.



As the degree of dental fluorosis increased, periodontitis (advanced
gum infection) increased. "The results suggest that there is a strong
association of occurrence of periodontal disease in high-fluoride
areas," write Vandana and Reddy.



"Surprisingly, studies have not paid attention to the periodontal
status in high-fluoride areas from a research perspective," the
authors write.



"In addition to inflammatory process, which remains common to high-
and low-fluoride areas, the fluorosis induced changes in hard and soft
tissues of periodontium requires ... attention to suspect fluoride as an
etiological (environmental) agent for periodontal disease," the
authors conclude.



Two thirds of U.S. public water suppliers purposely add fluoride
chemicals (silicofluorides) in an attempt to reduce tooth decay in tap
water drinkers. Some U.S. communities have natural fluoride levels up
to 4 ppm..



"How much longer do the American people have to be the guinea pigs in
the U.S.'s fluoridation experiment," asks lawyer Paul Beeber,
President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation.



The National Research Council advises more studies are required on
fluoride's effects on reasoning ability, endocrine functions, the
immune deficient, fertility, gastric response, bladder cancer, kidney
and liver enzyme functions and more. (3)



Studies already link fluoride to cancer, genetic defects, IQ deficits,
thyroid dysfunction, kidney, tooth and bone damage. (3a) But
government officials want even more studies before they condemn
fluoridation.



"Who will decide when fluoride's mounting risks outweigh its
questionable benefits. The individual or the government?" asks
Beeber. "Fluoridation leaves it in the hands of the government."



"Fluoridation chemicals are in short supply these days," (5) says
Beeber, "This would be a good time to gracefully bow out of water
fluoridation."




END




References:



1) "Assessment of periodontal status in dental fluorosis subjects
using community periodontal index of treatment needs," Vandana KL,
Sesha Reddy M, Indiana Journal of Dental Research 18(2) 2007



http://www.ijdr.in/temp/IndianJDentRes18267_150451.pdf



2) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwr.../s403a1t23.gif



3) http://www.fluorideaction.net/health.../excerpts.html



3a) http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health



4) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_248.pdf



5) "Fluoride shortage affecting water," The Indiana Courier Press, by
John Lucas May 11, 2007

http://www.courierpress.com/news/200...fecting-water/



New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

Fluoridation News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/

Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net

Fluoride Journal http://www.FluorideResearch.Org