Studies: Fluoride Not Preventing Tooth Decay

Fluoride is not stopping cavities and is causing discolored teeth, is reported in several new studies to be presented at the American Association for Dental Research’s annual meeting from March 8 – 11, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation (NYSCOF).

For example:

Researchers following children from birth, starting in 1991- 1995 (Iowa Fluoride Study), found almost double the dental fluorosis in early erupting permanent teeth of 9 year-olds drinking optimally fluoridated water compared to children drinking sub-optimally fluoridated water (41% vs. 21%); but no less tooth decay. (1)

Researchers found no significant relationship between fluoride exposure and cavities in permanent teeth of 6 to 9-year-olds in Campeche, Mexico (2). Previously, it was reported that 56% of this group has dental fluorosis. (3)

A U.S. national study reports cavity prevalence increased by 15% in 2 to 5-year-olds, in surveys taken between 1988-1994 and 1999-2002, (4) despite 60 years of water fluoridation reaching 2/3 of Americans on public water supplies and virtually 100% via the food supply. However, the Centers for Disease Control report that 1/3 to 1/2 of U.S. schoolchildren display dental fluorosis. (4a)

Another U.S. study shows that breastfed children have less cavities than non-breastfed. (5) even though breast milk has 100 times less fluoride than dentists claim is optimal to reduce cavities. Breastfeeding is also protective against fluorosis. (5a)

Although New York City fluoridated in 1965, NYC children of Chinese descent suffer a much higher prevalence and severity of tooth decay than the national average (63% vs 38%). (6)

About half of 7 to14-year-old children from fluoridated Rochester, NY, have cavities. Latino children had significantly higher caries experience than African-American and Caucasian children, thus indicating that disparities exist among different ethnic groups even when the water is fluoridated. (7)

In fluoridated Detroit, 91% of African American low-income children, 5 years and younger, have tooth decay. (8)

“Today, fluoridation puts American children at risk of dental fluorosis without any benefit of less tooth decay," says Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President and General Counsel. "And growing evidence links fluoride to hypersensitivities, bone damage, thyroid problems and more," says Beeber.

These studies add to a growing body of evidence pointing to fluoride's ineffectiveness and lack of safety.