Bottled Water Challenge--wrong!

[gypzye]

While I agree with you that bottled water can be insanely expensive (thankfully it is the ONE thing that is cheaper here in PHX than elsewhere, at $0.20/gallon) I just wanted to point out some misinformation in the challenge. You said:

Another issue to be aware of is that many bottled waters don't have the fluoride found in tap water. This can result in expensive dental problems for children. Families who drink mostly bottled water, especially those who have children, need to be aware that bottled water doesn't always contain fluoride. "They may need to use supplemental fluoride that is available by prescription from dentists or doctors.

I just wanted to alert everyone that the type of fluoride dumped into your tap water is NOT the type of fluoride that benefits children's teeth. CALCIUM fluoride is the type you want, that is good for your teeth, and that you can purchase in pill form. The fluorides in tap water are byproducts of fertilization and factories, generally silicofluorides, are offer NO health benefits.

Besides that, I believe it is morally wrong to medicate our drinking water. Plenty of Americans are depressed, but they're not pumping Prozac into the water. A healthy diet and good brushing habits will do more for your children's teeth both now and in the long run.

I just wanted to put this out there so people don't feel obligated to drink tap water because they feel they are depriving their children nutritionally! I do not drink tap water, mostly because it is intolerable out here (lol). Here is some reading material for interested viewers:

http://www.pure-food.com/fluoride_in_water.htm
http://www.fluoridealert.org/fluoridation.htm
http://www.nofluoride.com/Unicef_fluor.htm
http://www.universalwater.net/Fluori...king_Water.htm
http://www.fluoridedebate.com/question32.html
http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/Fluoride.htm

[2moretrees]

I completely disagree. I have been to countries that don't put fluoride in their water and the teeth of the children are terrible. Here is the other side of the debate and notice that these are from dental organizations

http://www.pdds.org/fluoride.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general.../fluoride.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/957372.stm
http://fluoride.oralhealth.org/paper...news091200.htm

[jeffrey]

I don't think that I was giving "misinformation" in the challenge, but I do realize that there is a debate on the subject. I used the quote from the Federal Drug Administration report that I linked in the challenge.

[gypzye]

These may be of particular interest:

http://www.fluorideaction.org/images...pa-masters.jpg --from the EPA
http://www.fluoridealert.org/topical-systemic.htm --I liked the analogy of swallowing sunscreen to prevent sunburn!
http://www.fluoridealert.org/who-dmft.htm --of particular interest, this one addresses decline of tooth decay in fluoridated vs. unfluoridated countries

[gypzye]

Originally Posted by 2moretrees

I completely disagree. I have been to countries that don't put fluoride in their water and the teeth of the children are terrible.

Interesting. I have been to places where they DO fluoridate their water and their teeth are STILL terrible.

I stand by my opinion that good eating habits and dental hygiene will do a hundred times more good for any child's teeth than fluoridated water.

[DivaJen]

I asked DD's dentist about this past October when she was in for a check-up. We drink bottled water, so I was concerned about her not getting fluoride via tap water. Her dentist said that if we cook at all with tap water, she'll get some, but mainly to use a fluoride toothpaste and swish with ACT now and then at bedtime if we really want her to.

[amomof4]

I read once that tooth decay didn't happen until sugar started being used. Actually, is saw this years ago a tv program on anthropology. Don't know if this is true.

We use well water, so there's no fluoride. I haven't noticed any difference since when we were on city water.

A dentist receommended that children be given all their halloween, Christmas, etc, candy at one time. Said the faster they eat it, the less damage on the teeth.

Gum chew is bad for teeth, especially the sugar kind. But then the imitation sugar kind is bad for your body, so my children's dentist said to use your own judgement. But in addition, chewing gum is bad for your fillings. My sister is always replacing fillings, and I think I only had one filling ever replaced. I think this is because of the constant pulling on the filling by the gum.

When we moved to the country to well water, I asked my childrens dentist if they should start using a fluoride rinse. He said the rinse wouldn't help. Can't remember for sure the reason, but I think he said the fluoride needed to be consumed & not rinsed. But if that's true, why do they put fluoride in toothpaste?? I don't know.

[CRFSaver]

I don't think all municipalities use flouridated water. It all depends. Where I grew up the water wasnt flouridated and I didnt get my first cavity till I was in college. And why did I get a cavity? Could it be all the soda I drank in college? Not being as diligent at brushing? Smoking? I think all of those contribute to it.

[CJsoccerchic]

Originally Posted by DivaJen

I asked DD's dentist about this past October when she was in for a check-up. We drink bottled water, so I was concerned about her not getting fluoride via tap water. Her dentist said that if we cook at all with tap water, she'll get some, but mainly to use a fluoride toothpaste and swish with ACT now and then at bedtime if we really want her to.

Swishing with "ACT" will get you fluoride? How about Listerine (i use that regularly)

[acezz4e_tish]

our kids schools here do flouride treatments on fridays til after 5th grade.