A full two-thirds of Americans have fluoride added to their tap water. Water fluoridation, which started in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is based on outdated science. New evidence now shows that adding fluoride to water to reduce cavities may not be as effective as one thought.
A large number of studies suggest that fluoride may actually interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system as well as impair brain function says this article by Brad Reifler. Just as recently as the last few months, two studies linked the chemical to ADHD and thyroid issues. So the question remains, why are we still fluoridating our water? Up until recently, it was assumed that fluoride played a major role in reducing tooth decay. Now new evidence shows that may in fact not be true.
A group of doctors and researchers in the Cochrane Collaboration recently viewed every study done on fluoridation that they could find and analyzed the studies’ results. Earlier this month they published their review which addressed whether or not fluoridation of water was, in fact, successful in keeping tooth decay at bay.
Out of all the studies the group looked at, they only found three studies for adult tooth decay and two studies on reducing cavities in baby teeth that were of good enough quality to be included in the review. The three papers suggested that fluoridation does not in fact have a statistically relevant impact on reducing tooth decay in permanent teeth or in baby teeth. Perhaps it is time to take another look at whether fluoridating our water is necessary.