Fluoridation: Benefits and Effects - Literature review Example

FLUORIDATION. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS. NAME: LECTURER: DATE: INTRODUCTION Fluoride is a natural element that is found in most water sources. Fluoride ion comes from fluorine, an abundant element found on the earth’s crust. Fluorine is a gas by nature, but never occurs as gas, but only exists as combined with other elements, as minerals in rocks and soil (American Dental Association , 2005). When water pass over the rocks, it dissolves the compound elements and release fluoride ions, thus resulting in the presence of the ions in all water sources. Fluoride is found in both fresh and sea water alike. It’s also found naturally in a wide array of foods including tea, rice and fish (Government of western Australia, 2012). Research has shown that if fluoride is added to drinking water supplies, it can promote dental health by preventing tooth damage and decay. WATER FLUORIDATION Pollick Howard (2012) defines water fluoridation as the controlled adjustment of fluoride concentrations of community water system to optimum levels to minimize the occurrence of dental caries (also called tooth decay) and dental fluorosis (enamel mottling). Pollick records that currently, up to two thirds of national water systems in the Unites States is fluoridated. ADA (2005) records that research into water fluoridation started as early as 1900’s in Colorado, USA. This was due to the discovery that many local residents exhibited brown stains on their permanent teeth, which by the time had not been documented anywhere. This led to a series of research into the cause of the anomaly, thus leading to the discovery of fluorine in drinking water, its pros and cons. BENEFITS OF FLUORIDATION IN DRINKING WATER In a report from the American Dental Association (2005), water fluoridation plays a vital role in reducing dental decay in populations. Fluoridation, if done at low levels, can help strengthen teeth and repair damage caused by early tooth decay before it becomes more permanent. American Dental Association (2005) notes that, in 1994, the U.S department of Health and human services gave a report which documented public health achievements. Among the achievements per the time included the eradication of polio and reduction in child blood lead levels, and fluoridation as one of the greatest preventive achievements. A report statement given later in 1995 then recorded that water fluoridation was the most cost-effective practical and safe means for reducing the occurrence of dental decay in the community. In 1998, the national health objective 21-9 stated that at least 75% of the U.S population served by community water supply systems should be fluoridated by the year 2010 (ADA, 2005). Later on in 1999, the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention named fluoridation of drinking water one of ten great public health achievements of the 20th century in the US, specifically pointing out its benefit in greatly reducing tooth decay, of up to 20-40%. Water fluoridation was noted as the most valuable public health measure because: i. Fluoridated drinking water is accessible to a wider population, irrespective of the community’s social status, educational attainments or other social variables that could be a barrier. ii. The people do not need to change their behaviour in order to obtain the benefits of fluoridation iii. Frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride through fluoridation over long time makes it effective through the life span in aid to preventing dental decay iv. Research showed that water fluoridation is more cost effective than other forms of fluoride treatment or applications. EFFECTS OF WATER FLUORIDATION Pollick Howard (2012) records that, the effects of water fluoridation on plants and animals have been a major issue in the United States public health. Water fluoridation, as much as is beneficial to the public, has raised concerns on the recommended levels that are considered safe. The risk of corroding pipes and effects of fluoridation chemicals, especially fluorosilicic acid and the potential to increase the levels of lead in water has raised concerns. Bruce Spittle (2008) conducted an extensive research on the effects of fluoridation on the community. It’s worth to mention that fluoride is not only ingested through drinking water, but from varied sources, including pesticides, post-harvest fumigants, air, food, salt, medication, toothpaste, dental restorations, and health supplements. Bruce Spittle records that, among other hazards of fluoridation, the most common ones includes fatigue, osteosarcoma, and hip fractures. Fluoridated water has been recorded to have adverse effects on young children, mostly those in utero and infants less than one year old whose brains are still sensitive to developmental neurotoxins (Bruce S. , 2008). Its recorded that non-nursing infants receiving food made with water fluoridated at or near 1mg level per litre will have taken upto three times fluorine than an average adult drinking the same water, if body weight is taken into account. This has been manifested statistically, with upto 30% of children in fluoridated areas having chalky white areas on the teeth due to dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine interacts to form a functional iodine deficiency in a human body. Iodine is essential to the normal functioning of various organs in the body. However, if fluorine is introduced, it bonds with iodine, resulting in reduced tissue iodine levels, and may contribute to the development of breast cancer (Bruce Spittle, 2008). The following is summary of symptoms and signs of persons suffering from fluoride toxicity Symptoms and signs of the chronic fluoride toxicity syndrome Chronic fatigue, not relieved by extra sleep or rest Recurrent headaches Dryness of the throat and excessive water consumption Frequent needs to urinate Urinary tract irritation Aches and stiffness in the muscles and bones, arthritic –like pains in the lower back, neck, jaws, arms, shoulders and legs Loss of the ability to concentrate and mental acuity Depression Excessive nervousness Dizziness Tendency to loose balance Visual disturbances with temporary blind spots in the field of vision and diminished ability to focus Brittle nails Repeated miscarriage or still births Male infertility Dental fluorosis with discoloration of the enamel of the front teeth, the central or lateral incisors of the upper or lower jaws Susheela A.K., (2008) notes that dental fluorosis is evidence that a person has been exposed to fluoridated water. Its noted that dental fluorosis can only occur if the fluoride was induced during the first year of life while the teeth are forming. Dental discoloration caused by fluorosis starts with the teeth losing their original shine and developing white and yellow spots, or at times, chalky white spots. This discoloration may soon start turning brown and form horizontal streaks or spots on the enamel. Studies has shown that streaks near the tip of the permanent teeth occurred if the individual was exposed to fluoride up to the 2nd year, whereas streaks in the middle of the teeth shows exposure from 2-4 years, and in the part of the teeth closest to the gums from 4-6 years. Research studies have also show the following illnesses caused by fluoride 1. Relationships between fluoridation and earlier onset of female sexual maturity have been found. The statistics are non-significant though, but, individual researchers examined several girls from fluoridated Newburgh, New York, and observed that an average age for starting menstruation was 12 years, compared to 12 years 5 months in the non-fluoridated control city of Kingston (Schlesinger ER in in Bruce Spittle, 2008). Animal studies with Mongolian gerils showed a similar result (Luke JA, 1997). This was attributed to the hormone melatonin produced in the pineal gland in the brain that controls the onset of sexual maturity being affected by fluorine. An X-Ray image of a normal forearm of 51 year old (left), as compared to an image of a 54 year old suffering from calcification of the interosseous membrane due to fluoride toxicity. Adapted from Khandare, Rao, Balakrishna(2007). Fore arms of a patient from Spain who has been drinking fluoridated drinks Adapted from Khandare, Rao, Balakrishna(2007). 2. Fluoride has been associated to the occurrence of a rare bone cancer, osteosarcoma, especially in young boys after exposure to fluoridated water in earlier age(Bessin et al, 1996). It was found that exposure to fluoridated water resulted in significant increase of up to 500% by age 7, in the occurrence of osteosarcoma by age 20. Research explains that fluoride ingested is partly expelled in the urine, but a fraction remains and is stored in the bones, where later in can inhibit the normal cycle of bone breaking down and being rebuilt. Fluoride affects the bone-reabsorbing cells, therefore resulting to more bones being present, a condition called osteomegaly . again, over time, or as a result of more fluoride intake, the bone forming cells are also affected, therefore leading to the formation of less bones, called osteopaenia. Therefore, fluoride acts in two ways. First, it triggers the formation of more bones, resulting in high density bones, but with low quality. It has been noted that bones with high fluoride levels are more brittle, with hip fractures being common as the level of fluoride in the water supply increases. 3. Bruce Spittle( 2008) explains that fluoride ingestion can result in thyroid hormone disturbance. It has been observed that a close similarity exists between the many symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism and those for fluoride toxicity, also including dental fluorosis. 4. Research has also shown that Down syndrome is closely associated with fluoridation(Burgstahler, 1997) Images courtesy of Susheela AK(2003) A treatise on fluorosis. 2nd ed. Delhi, India: Fluorosis Research and Rural Development Foundation; .p. 66-68. Susheela AK(2003) notes that fluoridation has been noted to cause abnormalities in male sperm morphology. It causes a deficiency in the number of spermatozoa in the semen (oligospermia) and low levels of testosterone. This was especially noted in India where fluoridation toxicity is common. The following images shows (image E) an Electron Micrograph of a normal human sperm, (image F, Gand H) abnormal sperm caused from taking fluoride contaminated water. Images courtesy of Susheela AK(2003) A treatise on fluorosis. 2nd ed. Delhi, India: Fluorosis Research and Rural Development Foundation; .p. 66-68. CONCLUSIONS From research that has been conducted over the years, the ever increasing adverse effects of fluoridation require more attention. Fluoridation, when it was started years ago, felt sound and among the best discoveries of the time. It did not manifest any signs of effects then, due to the fact that it slowly affects the individuals consuming the contaminated water. The act of fluoridating water is both beneficial and at the same time, more harmful. However, the effects outweigh the benefits by far. The single claim of reducing tooth decay to the consumers does not provide a basis for fluoridating water to the more adverse side effects of the same. The government should consider other methods of preventing tooth decay, such as fluoridating toothpaste, that is more safe because its not ingested by the user, or other methods that are more safe. REFERENCES US Department of Health and Human Services (1995) .Public Health Service. Surgeon General statement on community water fluoridation. Washington, DC; December 14, 1995. Susheela AK. A treatise on fluorosis. Delhi, India: Fluorosis Research and Rural Development Foundation; 2001. p. 53-60 Luke JA. The effect of fluoride on the physiology of the pineal gland [thesis]. Guildford: University of Surrey; 1997. Bassin EB, Wypij D, Davis RB, Mittleman MA. Age-specific fluoride exposure in drinking water and osteosarcoma (United States). Cancer Causes Control 2006;17:421-8. Burgstahler AW. Fluoridated water and Down’s syndrome . Fluoride 1997;30:113. World Health Organization (2005). Fluoride in drinking water. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/fluoride_drinking_water_full.pdf Dr Xiang Quanyong,, Y Liang, L Chen, C Wang, B Chen, X Chen, M Zhou. EFFECT OF FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER ON CHILDREN’S INTELLIGENCE Fluoride Vol. 36 No. 2 84-94 2003 Research Report Shanghai, Read More