Letter: Fluoridation good for teeth

Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 | 10:02 a.m.

How can anyone be against it? Fluoridation of water supplies across the country has been going on for decades, and I've yet to hear of even one fluoride-related death. In contrast, dental and health-related problems due to tooth decay are a huge problem.

In a perfect world, children and adults would visit the dentist every 6 months, and all children would have fluoride treatments. The reality is ... this isn't reality.

Dental care can be expensive. Many employers don't offer dental coverage at all -- and with those who do, coverage often is such that there is still much out-of-pocket expense. So for many people, it is unaffordable. I've heard that the joke here among dentists is that they can tell if you grew up here or not the minute they peer into your mouth -- except, it is not at all amusing, is it?

I'm 49, grew up in Illinois, and always lived where water is fluoridated, until we moved here two years ago. I not only have all of my teeth, but also have only had three cavities in my entire life. I honestly don't remember if I had fluoride treatments as a child. As an adult, visits to the dentist have been far from regular -- like many due to a lack of affordability at times. I do, however, drink water every day, and for over 47 years, it was fluoridated.

Therefore, I can't help but think that fluoridation played a very important part in my having good teeth today. So why not fluoridate? What do we have to lose -- that is, besides our teeth?

PAMELA GLENN-DOWNES