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Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

newsweek.com

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Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#3
As the article notes, this is all based on the Cochrane Collaborative methodology of searching for prior published scientific literature, and is not a conclusion based on a fresh study. The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits."

[link] http://www.cochrane.org/CD002278/ORAL_fluoride-toothpastes-f...

"Tooth decay (dental caries) is painful, expensive to treat and can sometimes lead to serious damage to teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay. The review of trials found that children aged 5 to 16 years who used a fluoridated toothpaste had fewer decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth after three years (regardless of whether their drinking water was fluoridated). Twice a day use increases the benefit."

Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#6

As the article notes, this is all based on the Cochrane Collaborative methodology of searching for prior published scientific literature, and is not a conclusion based on a fresh study. The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits." [link] http://www.cochrane…

A new Cochrane meta-analysis is much more likely to make me change my mind about some empirical claim than a fresh study.

Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#7

As the article notes, this is all based on the Cochrane Collaborative methodology of searching for prior published scientific literature, and is not a conclusion based on a fresh study. The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits." [link] http://www.cochrane…

> The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits."

I think you understood this, but I wanted to clarify for others: the Cochrane review that this article is about showed that fluoridated water may not prevent tooth decay. The 2009 review you mention does not contradict this, since it is about fluoridated toothpaste, not water.

Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#8
Did anyone expect it to do so?

Fluorine production was a proxy for uranium production if the only use for fluorine was for uranium production. Couldn't have the Soviets knowing how many atom bombs we were building, so we needed to use it for something else too. Something so massive that it would make it impossible to calculate how much was used for nukes. And so we put it in the water supply as an additive.

Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#9

As the article notes, this is all based on the Cochrane Collaborative methodology of searching for prior published scientific literature, and is not a conclusion based on a fresh study. The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits." [link] http://www.cochrane…

[deleted]

Re: Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

#10
Just so everyone is clear: this review found that there is little evidence that water fluoridation has any benefits. It does not dispute that fluoride in toothpaste reduces tooth decay.

> Studies that attest to the effectiveness of fluoridation were generally done before the widespread usage of fluoride-containing dental products like rinses and toothpastes in the 1970s and later, according to the recent Cochrane study. So while it may have once made sense to add fluoride to water, it no longer appears to be necessary or useful, Thiessen says.

> It has also become clear in the last 15 years that fluoride primarily acts topically, according to the CDC. It reacts with the surface of the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acids excreted by bacteria. Thus, there's no good reason to swallow fluoride and subject every tissue of your body to it, Thiessen says.

> Another 2009 review by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities.

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