Water fluoridation refers to the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply to reduce tooth decay, usually accomplished by adding sodium fluoride, fluorosilicic acid or sodium fluorosilicate to water of which fluorosilicic acid is the most common. Fluoride helps to protect our teeth by a variety of ways such as altering the structure of developing enamel and encouraging remineralisation ensuring that the enamel crystals are laid down are of improved quality. Fluoridation can have several long-term adverse effects such as dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and even fluoride poisoning. As well as various health concerns there are various ethical and financial reasons why water fluoridation should not be implemented internationally. In conjunction to the negative aspects of water fluoridation there are a range of reasons why there should be a world-wide scheme for fluoridation. …show more content…
• Dental fluorosis
• Skeletal fluorosis
• Acute fluoride poisoning
[arguments against]
• Ethical issues
• Economics
• Politics
As well as potential health threats, there are other reasons why water fluoridation should not be implemented worldwide. One of the main arguments against water fluoridation is that it can be viewed as a violation of rules that prohibit medical treatment without medical supervision or informed consent as water fluoridation can be seen as a form of medication.
[arguments