Fluoride in Holmen's water - Poison or teeth protection?
In just a couple of weeks we will be heading to the polls to vote. While most people have their minds on who the next president will be, here in Holmen there is another issue fighting for our attention: fluoridation. This is an issue that I've gone back and forth on for some time but have now, finally, made up my mind.
I've always struggled with cavities despite regular brushing. Part of that is due to not so regular flossing but a big part is simply the chemical makeup of my mouth, something I could potentially pass on to my children. I don't want them to go through what I have and worry a lot about their teeth. I was surprised when I found out Holmen doesn't fluoridate the water and that I'd have to give my kids pills and drops every day for them to get the recommended fluoride for their teeth. Dealing with these is a hassle, especially since the medicine can't be given within a couple hours of having milk. I've found myself wishing many times that they'd just put it in the water already so I didn't have to deal with it.
Then I stumbled on the big debate about just that. I started reading the arguments against putting fluoride in the water and found myself questioning whether I should even be giving fluoride to my children. There's a lot of scary stuff out there saying it's poison and can cause cancer and brittle bones. So I asked my dentist what he thought and he assured me that the fluoride was safe and it was important to keep giving it to the kids. Still, the fact that it's a poison bothered me and I could understand why people would be against putting it into the drinking supply. I might have even voted against it, despite the fact that having it in the water would make my life easier.
Until today when I had a chance to hear Dr. Randy Moseng's talk on why we should put fluoride into Holmen's water and was convinced. He came with a simple slide show, a boatload of facts, and answers to all my questions. Here is a dentist who has practiced for many years in South La Crosse, where they have fluoridated water and then opened an office up here in Holmen, where we don't. He saw an immediate difference in the number of cavities and was concerned enough to take up the fight. Less cavities means less business for him but he sees this as a public health issue and is doing what he feels right despite the fact that it would, if it succeeds, actually hurt his business. All in all, I got a good feeling from the talk. He's sincere and seems to be genuinely concerned. He answered all my questions patiently and credibly. Here's a sampling:
Some of the questions he answered for me, paraphrased as I didn't record the conversation:
- Isn't fluoride a poison? Fluoride is actually a naturally occurring mineral and is safe in the proper doses. It's been used in millions of houses for over 60 years and has consistently proven safe and effective.
- But toothpaste warns against swallowing it. Swallowing toothpaste every day long term can lead to fluorosis which causes white spots on your teeth but doesn't actually harm them. The amount of fluoride in water isn't enough to cause it with normal drinking.
- I've heard it's only useful topically. When you take it internally, it goes to your teeth and bones and strengthens them. It also ends up in your saliva and applies topically that way.
- Can it help me, as an adult? The big benefits are for kids who's teeth are still developing but, yes, it continues to provide benefits for adults as well.
- What about all those sites out there warning about the dangers of fluoride? Like a lot of things, there's a lot of junk science and questionable material out there. holmenfluoride.com, the biggest one I found, is actually run by a chiropractor, not a dentist, and he doesn't even live in Holmen!
I'm not a scientist, not even a dentist. I haven't read the studies or performed any research myself. But I've read arguments on both sides and put them through my internal BS meter. I've done a lot of waffling but I've got to say I'm sold, now. Dr. Moseng laid out the facts clearly and without some of the nastiness I've seen on other sites. In the end, it comes down to who you trust, who you want to believe, and my gut is telling me that fluoride in the water is the right choice. So that's where my vote is going.
Are you undecided about the issue? Have questions? The brochure he gave me lists Citizens for Better Dental Health at 608-526-9300. Give them a call. My post here only recaps my thoughts on it and is not meant to be a definitive article on the subject. I'll leave that to the experts. 
Michelle
How is this for 'nastiness'? Maybe only Moseng gets to engage in personal attacks?
http://www.courierlifenews.com/articles/2007/04/05/opinion/holmencourier...
Thank you for the link, Mr./Ms Nastiness. That's an excellent article. I don't see anything nasty in it. Just countering the arguments with fact after fact. The only thing even remotely a personal attack in there is the implication that he's including Dr. Berkley in with the "hucksters and charlatans" on the internet. Other than that, it's all about the facts.
Michelle
I wish they wouldn't put fluoride in La Crosse water. I think it's not good for us. Brushing teeth with fluoridated toothpaste is all one needs and I don't even do that.
Well, the flurodation won in Holmen. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully Moseng is right and what we'll see is fewer caveties and no harmful effects.
Michelle
I voted against the fluoride but I'm not overly concerned either way. I personally think water should be just plain water - no one should have to filter their water to get rid of something the city puts in. I'm also against the idea of mass medicating in this way. I'm not worried about the effects of fluoride nor am I personally going to filter my water to avoid it. I can see where many people would like the idea though too. These are just my opinions but I'm honestly not worried about what will happen now that we're getting fluoride.
I guess I could see that if they were dumping something unnatural in it. But it's just raising the level a bit for something that's there naturally anyway. Bangor doesn't even have to fluoridate because they have plenty in the water naturally. Water really isn't just water even without fluoride, anyway. There's quite a bit of stuff in it already.
That website from the chiropractor in La Crosse says he's not done, yet. Will be interesting to see what he stirs up next since this is a binding refferendum.
Michelle
Do you have his website?
Yeah, it's holmenfluoride.com. It looks really impressive. I might have believed it if I hadn't heard the other side of the issue. Not to say there's not a shred of truth in anything there. I'm sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. But it's not nearly so horrible as he makes it out to be when you hear the other side of the story.
It's a matter of trust, I suppose. I'm putting my faith in dentists, the CDC, and 60 years of empirical evidence instead of a chiropractor. My chiropractor is awesome for fixing my back but I don't go to him for advice about my teeth.
Michelle
I didn't read the whole site, but the first of Berkley's video I agree with. They're making smoking in public places illegal, but they're forcing people who do not want it to drink fluoridated water unless they spent the money to do otherwise. I'm not in Holmen, so I've had it since I've lived here. I buy bottled water which I have been thinking of stopping because of the BPA in the plastics... so now I'm thinking about filtering out the flouride in the water so I don't get it in my system. There are scientists that have proven our intake of fluoride to be too much and to be toxic. Yes, it helps in small amounts, but it's like so many things.. if you overdo it (drinking water, tooth paste, pills, etc.).. then it's toxic. So yeah, you can see it both ways.. it's good if you get the right amount, the question is what is the right amount.
I have to say I was shocked when my children went to their first dentist appointment in Holmen and they said there was no fluoride in the water. What is that all about!!! So now I have to spend money on fluoride pills for them. Yes they do brush but that isn't enough. They need more fluoride. I am so happy that it past. I have noticed that some people in this area don't like change. So this is going to be hard for them to except. You also have to look at the lower income area children. They, more than likely, don't go to the dentist, can't afford the pills, and don't brush. So putting a little bit of fluoride in the water will help them.
Jessica
I was surprised as well. Sheboygan, where I grew up, has had it for 60 years so it's not something I ever thought twice about. It's sort of like vitamin D in milk. You just expect it to be there. I've always had a problem with my teeth and they've gotten much worse since moving here. Now I can't say whether that's the fluoride or just that I'm getting older but you never know. I don't want my kids to end up with teeth as bad as mine so I'll take every advantage I can get. I'm glad it passed and just don't understand the uproar. It's not like this is some radical new thing. They've been doing it in the majority of the country for over half a century. Now I know that in itself isn't reason enough for it as there's a lot of things that were done for a long time and that doesn't make them good but it does show that a whole lot of people have lived their lives on fluoridated water and were just fine. I'm hoping after a few years of having it in the water and the cavity rate dropping and no one having any ill effects that people will see it's not so horrible and be ok with it. We'll see.
Michelle
There have been towns lately banning the fluoride in their water due to the new research of the toxicity... so I was surprised that you guys HAD it added.
Really? I haven't heard of any in the US banning it. I've only seen references to it not being done in Europe which were supposed to imply that they know more then we do and we should do what they do.
Such a crazy thing with people up in arms on both sides. Almost makes me wish I lived in Bangor where fluoride is just a natural part of the water supply and not a subject of debate. LOL
Michelle
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