I grew up in Durango, Durango High School class of ’97. Many of my friends are now raising their own families in Durango. Today, I’m a dentist and professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dental cavities are the most common disease in the world, and community water fluoridation is one of the safest and most effective measures available to prevent them. It’s so well studied and successful, it was named one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
My first year out of dental school, I treated a 2-year-old girl who grew up in a community without enough fluoride in the water. Her four front teeth were so decayed and infected, and I had to take them out. Afterward, while providing information to her mother about how to care for her while she healed from her infection, the little girl reached her arms around my neck and hugged me. I knew instantly why. She was finally free from her pain.
I have never forgotten that little girl. I learned early on from her powerful example just how harmful cavities can be. Now, I’m a mom, and my daughter is not much older than that little girl I treated 11 years ago. I am so grateful to be raising my daughter, cavity-free, in a community that fluoridates our water.
Advocating for fluoridation and combating all the misinformation out there is a regular part of my job every day. Durango has remained in the forefront of my mind. I was so gratified to learn that Durango chose to continue water fluoridation. It’s the right decision.
Yet, frightening myths and misconceptions about fluoride in Durango’s water continue to circulate. One rumor I’ve heard is that the source of fluoride added to the water is from industrial waste byproducts (e.g. found in smoke stacks.) This claim is completely false; it originated from a leading anti-fluoridation activist who has been discredited repeatedly by the scientific and health communities. This is one of many examples where concerns may be sincere, but they are sincerely misguided.
There are two important concepts to bear in mind when considering the health of Durango families and fluoride. The first is collective evidence. Collective evidence refers to when researchers conduct many studies over time, contributing to a body of evidence, and a clear message begins to emerge. Perhaps the most renowned example of collective evidence is that quitting smoking reduces our risk of getting cancer. This body of evidence is why tobacco control was also named a top public health achievement by the CDC (fluoride is in good company). Similarly, fluoridation is one of the most studied public health measures in history. The message from the collective evidence for fluoride is undeniable: Seventy years of research and thousands of studies confirm that fluoridation is safe and effective.
The second concept is scientific consensus. Health and science experts have thoroughly reviewed the collective evidence. Through lengthy processes, the accumulated dental, medical and public health evidence concerning fluoridation has been reviewed and evaluated numerous times by academicians, committees of experts, special councils of government and many of the world’s major national and international health organizations. They have come to a consensus and developed public statements and recommendations that they agree are evidence-based and state-of-the-science knowledge. The verdict of this scientific consensus is that fluoridation is recommended to safely prevent cavities.
Sometimes we lose sight of the forest because we’re looking too closely at only one or two trees. When you hear concerning stories about fluoride in Durango, ask how they align with the collective evidence. How do they measure up to the scientific consensus? In the end, a few studies, a few personal stories, may sound scary, but overall, the collective evidence and scientific consensus stand strong. Hundreds of scientific and health organizations and partners and thousands of studies all support community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent cavities.
Treatment is important, but prevention is best. Fluoridation of community water supplies is the single most effective public health measure to prevent cavities. Durango’s children deserve the healthiest start to their lives, and a healthy smile is one of the best gifts you can give them. Well done, Durango.
Brittany Seymour is a professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Reach her at brittany_seymour@hsdm.harvard.edu.
For credible, evidence-based resources about fluoride, please visit the American Dental Association’s www.mouthhealthy.org and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Campaign for Dental Health at www.ilikemyteeth.org.
Here, I tackle more myths and questions about fluoride: I address common questions from parents about fluoride in this piece, “Is fluoridated water dangerous?” Find it at http://thescientificparent.org/fluoride-water-dangerous-kids.
I also debunk unreliable claims about water fluoridation in this new video, providing much-needed information and context to the often misrepresented Harvard Study on fluoridation and children’s IQ: http://ilikemyteeth.org/debunking-unreliable-claims-the-harvard-study/.
