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CLEAR Temp: 100 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Saturday, September 27, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 2, 2003 Fluoride Q&A Following are commonly asked questions about fluoride and fluoridation taken from a newsletter produced by the Medford Water Commission and other sources. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a natural trace element found in small but varying amounts in virtually all soils, water, plants and animals. While some fluoride is generated from industrial processes, it also occurs naturally. Why add fluoride to water? There is much evidence that exposure to fluoride can reduce tooth decay, particularly in children under age 6. The American Dental Association estimates that fluoridation reduces cavities in baby teeth by up to 60 percent and in permanent teeth by up to 35 percent. Adding fluoride to water is a relatively inexpensive way to improve dental health for all residents, regardless of income or education. Dentists estimate that 80 percent of decay occurs in 20 percent of the population, usually poor people without access to dental care. Is fluoridation common? In Oregon, about 40 of the state’s nearly 1,000 public water systems — 4 percent — provide fluoride to 630,000 people. Nationwide, about a quarter of water systems in the U.S. provide fluoride to about 65 percent of the population. How does fluoride work? When fluoride is taken by mouth, a small amount is absorbed onto the surface of the teeth. Ingested fluoride is absorbed into the bloodstream. About 50 percent is excreted, with the rest retained in bones and teeth. What are other sources of fluoride, and are they effective at reducing tooth decay? Fluoride is present in varying amounts in nearly all food and drinks. In recent years, many toothpastes, mouth rinses and foods have been fortified with fluoride. Professionally applied fluoride gels are another source. Additionally, fluoride supplements — drops and tablets — are often recommended by pediatricians for children in areas without fluoridated water. They can be as effective as fluoridated water, but are often less so because parents and children fail to use them regularly. Some dentists put the compliance rate at 50 percent. Does fluoride have any harmful health effects? While fluoride is clearly toxic in larger quantities, there is sharp disagreement about whether it poses health risks in the small amounts allowed in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that the maximum concentration for fluoride should be 4 parts of fluoride per million parts of water. The agency set an additional standard of 2 parts per million to reduce the possibility of dental fluorosis. That’s a cosmetic condition in which too much fluoride creates discoloration of teeth. State health standards recommend limiting fluoride in public water systems to between .7 and 1 part per million. The proposed level in Medford is .7 parts per million. Some fluoridation opponents claim that the substance has been linked to a range of health problems, including certain kinds of cancers and other physical and mental ailments. The claims have not been established, however. How much would local fluoridation cost? Medford Water Commission staff estimate it would cost about $500,000. That includes funds for the fluoride compound, equipment to disperse and store the fluoride and monitor the levels, as well as costs to retrofit the Duff Water Treatment Plant and the Big Butte Springs disinfection center. The cost of fluoride itself would add 3 to 4 cents per 1,000 gallons of water to the average residential bill, or about $5 to $7 a year. It’s possible that adjusting pH levels would require costs of about $1 per month per household account, or $12 per year. Sources: Medford Water Commission; American Dental Association. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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