Misinformation campaigns increasingly target the cavity-fighting mineral, prompting communities to reverse mandates. Dentists are enraged. Parents are caught in the middle.
The culture wars have a new target: your teeth.
Communities across the U.S. are ending public water fluoridation programs, often spurred by groups that insist that people should decide whether they want the mineral — long proven to fight cavities — added to their water supplies.
The push to flush it from water systems seems to be increasingly fueled by pandemic-related mistrust of government oversteps and misleading claims, experts say, that fluoride is harmful.
“The anti-fluoridation movement gained steam with Covid,” said Dr. Meg Lochary, a pediatric dentist in Union County, North Carolina. “We’ve seen an increase of people who either don’t want fluoride or are skeptical about it.”
There should be no question about the dental benefits of fluoride, Lochary and other experts say. Major public health groups, including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support the use of fluoridated water. All cite studies that show it reduces tooth decay by 25%.
I have issues with brushing too. I have a nerve disorder in my face which makes brushing my teeth extremely painful, so I can’t do it all that often. I definitely benefit from fluoridated drinking water.
Ouch, that must really suck! I’m not dealing with actual physical pain here, just hate the minty fresh feeling in my mouth. Does mouthwash cause pain for you? I’ve never really used it, but briefly wondered if I could use a fluoride free toothpaste plus a fluoridated mouthwash, but I think I ran into the same issue with limited fluoridated flavors.
Mouthwash does not cause pain for me, but I think that’s pretty disgusting and I’m currently dealing with a different health problem that involves heaving. Hooray shitty genes. I may resort to it one day if I have to.
Removed by mod
I never said my teeth were perfect, I said I get a benefit.
I mean, if you still get cavities and gum disease then what benefit are you really getting?
Fewer cavities and less gum disease. I’m not sure why you don’t consider making something less of a health problem to be beneficial.
Removed by mod
Be as dubious as you like.
I never said that, you did.
Yes, I explained why.
You said you have “fewer cavities.” Any cavities at all is poor dental health.
Which is fine. Why you don’t brush isn’t the point. It’s the fact that you don’t brush.
I did not say I had fewer cavities, I said that was the benefit. Do you actually read posts or do you just skim them?
Well that answers that question. You skim, because I clearly said that I can’t do it often. Because it causes me severe pain, so I have to limit the number of times a week I do it.
Wouldn’t it be cool if you actually read my posts and asked me about myself rather than made silly assumptions?
Oh well, too late now.
You seem to be a very nosey person with strange opinions. Seems like you can easily do something about it, while Flying Squid can’t. Maybe take this opportunity?
You don’t like what I’m saying so you’re attacking me personally.
I see it all the time, goodbye.
Removed by mod
So, I do brush my teeth at least daily (I shoot for twice, but I’m not going to pretend that always happens), and I’ve recently started flossing once daily (recently as in, it was my New Years resolution).
I’ve only had cavities twice in my life - once when I spent 2 years living in Okinawa, and once when I got back from a deployment where we were advised to only drink bottled water.
No other adjustments to my routine. The only thing I can chalk it up to is the lack of fluoride in both instances. And like I said, I’m not someone who takes immaculate care of my teeth.
Edit: Purely anecdotal experience, obviously, I just really couldn’t come up with an alternative answer 🤷♀️