Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Water Fluoridation May Not Prevent Cavities, Scientific Review Shows

newsweek.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 105 posts

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

#91

Post by colordrops »

jarin wrote: post #17
colordrops wrote: post #5

Harvard study finding fluoride in water does negatively impact childhood development: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens...

It should be noted that the negative effects were found in areas with much higher levels of fluoridation (i.e. areas of China with naturally occurring fluoride in groundwater) than are typical in the US. There wasn't enough information to draw conclusions about US fluoridation levels.

The limit for fluoride in US drinking water is 4.0 mg/L, and there are regions in the paper that report cognitive impairment that are much lower than this. You should consider posting analysis or sources for your statements, or just not comment and let the paper speak for itself.

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

#92

Post by slvv »

evunveot wrote: post #26

From what I've read, we've already identified the specific bacteria responsible for tooth decay [1], but there seems to have no interest in developing treatments based on that insight. Instead we're supposed to essentially sterilize our mouths and remineralize our teeth (which is something saliva does naturally) with topical fluoride twice a day. My cat has never brushed her teeth, and they're fine, presumably becaus…

I recently learned (via expensive vet visits) that some cats do need to have their teeth brushed daily, or else they risk decay and tooth loss. It's not just vet bs!

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

#95

Post by jws »

lutorm wrote: post #60

Having grown up in Sweden, being told that fluoride applied topically was functional at reducing caries but that eating toothpaste or swallowing the fluoride rinse that we got in elementary school was bad for you, I was astonished to learn that some countries put it in their water. Even in the U.S., toothpaste containers warn you not to swallow it and contact a Poison Control Center if you accidentally do. And then t…

The CDC requires drinking water to have less than 4mg/liter fluoride. There is a guideline of less than 2mg/liter.

Fluoridation for dental health is done at 0.7mg/liter.

The only health effects observed at 4mg/liter are dental fluorosis, staining of teeth as they form in children.

There are places in the United States where the natural drinking water exceeds 4mg/liter. King Hill, Idaho (population 100) wins with 16mg/liter.

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

#96

Post by cantrevealname »

jessriedel wrote: post #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 stu…

> 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

This agrees well with a personal observation of mine. A majority of those I know who grew up in the 1970's or earlier have a mouth full of fillings. Yet almost everyone I know who grew up in the 1990's or later have few or zero fillings.

I've asked several different dentists about this observation. The dentists agree with my observation but they reflexively attribute it to fluoridation of water. But fluoridation began in my area in the 1960's (I checked). The dentists are wrong about fluoridation explaining the difference between '70s kids and '90s kids.

If we were to assume that toothpaste commonly began to contain fluoride after the mid or late 1970's, that would be consistent with a decline in cavities.

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

#98

Post by nulltype »

brianwawok wrote: post #57
evunveot wrote: post #26

From what I've read, we've already identified the specific bacteria responsible for tooth decay [1], but there seems to have no interest in developing treatments based on that insight. Instead we're supposed to essentially sterilize our mouths and remineralize our teeth (which is something saliva does naturally) with topical fluoride twice a day. My cat has never brushed her teeth, and they're fine, presumably becaus…

Have you seen a 50 year old cat? I bet their teeth would be completely rotten. Okay so house cats don't live that long.. but look at longer living mammals like horses. Their teeth are terrible at 20 years old. I think the human teeth will do fine without brushing for 20-30 years, enough to make babies. They aren't really designed for the 75 year life plan..

I know tons of people under 30 who have a lot of cavities.

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

#99

Post by SuddsMcDuff »

JeremyNT wrote: post #56

This article has such a bad headline. The important thing to note here is that this review is looking for the impacts of fluoridation since the 1970s . The evidence remains clear that fluoridation is better than nothing at preventing cavities! The question at hand is whether it's still important now that we have widespread adoption of fluoride toothpaste. This Cochrane study concludes, as many Cochrane reviews do, th…

The headline introduces an element of doubt in something that was previously reckoned to be conclusive. I'd say it's pretty effective.

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

#100

Post by nixy »

Methods to prevent tooth decay were investigated and documented in Sweden back in the 30's and 40's. Studies were carried out at a mental hospital where patients were force fed sugary sweets to provoke caries. I believe fluoridation was one of the things found to help prevent caries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipeholm_experiments

Post reply on HN