Water Fluoridation: Tooth Decay

Words: 1860
Pages: 8
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Maryam Jamil
September 3, 2014
Water Fluoridation
Tooth decay is a common issue experienced by many throughout the world. In England, for example, one in three adults face tooth decay while more than one in four children around the age of five years old suffer from some degree of decay. The process of tooth decay is initiated as acid attacks the outer surface of the tooth, which is produced by plaque. Plaque is known as the bacteria that reside on the surface of the teeth. Acid is formed when food and drink that is high in sugar enters the system and the bacteria within the plaque have processes the sugars into acid. The acid can remain in contact with the tooth surface for up to two hours before it is neutralized by saliva. Demineralization, …show more content…
Generally, most developed nations, along with Japan, do not partake in the water fluoridation process. According to medical ethics, informed consent is a requirement for all medication, including water fluoridation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorize fluoride as a drug. Unlike other water treatment chemicals, which are added to improve the quality and safety of water, the sole purpose of water fluoridation is to prevent tooth decay. Therefore, by fluoridating public water supplies individuals are being treated without their consent, a violation of medical ethics. In fact, most of Western Europe has neglected to practice water fluoridation mainly due to this reason (Connett). The continued use of water fluoridation should be frowned upon due to its failure to meet ethical requirements. Furthermore, fluoridating public water should be discontinued due to its inability to be controlled in regards to who it is consumed by and to what extent it is consumed. For example, athletes, diabetics, manual laborers, and those suffering from kidney disease generally consume more water than others; therefore, more fluoride also enters their system. As part of medical standards, “being able to control the dose a patient receives is critical” (Connett). The inability to control that …show more content…
(2001, February). Studies on Tooth Decay Rated When Water Fluoridation is Stopped. Retrieved September 3, 2014, from Fluoride Action Network: http://fluoridealert.org/studies/caries05/
Fluoride Information Network. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved September 3, 2014, from Fluoride Information Network: http://fluorideinfo.org/FAQ.html#anchor14
Levine, R. (n.d.). How Fluoridation Works to Control Tooth Decay. Retrieved September 3, 2014, from British Fluoridation Society: http://www.bfsweb.org/documents/howfworks.htm
NHS Choices. (2014, May 30). Tooth Decay. Retrieved September 3, 2014, from NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Dental-decay/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. (2013, October 22). What Are the Benefits of Water Fluoridation? Retrieved September 3, 2014, from Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/DentalHealth/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/WaterFluoridation.aspx
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013, July 23). Basic Information about Fluoride in Drinking Water. Retrieved September 3, 2014, from United States Environmental Protection Agency:
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