New Reports from the HHS on Fluoride Levels in our Drinking Water
Posted Jan.10, 2011 in Dental, Health & Wellness
Fluoride in drinking water has been one of the most successful ways to help prevent tooth decay in children during the 20th century…so we thought. On January 7th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to lower the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water for the first time in nearly 50 years. These recommended levels have been reviewed by federal health officials and they say that many Americans are getting too much fluoride which is causing white marks on children’s teeth – a condition called fluorosis.
Not only are most children getting fluoride in their drinking water, but they are also getting it from toothpaste, mouthwash and some kids are even getting regular fluoride treatments when they have their teeth cleaned by their dentist.
In the report released last Friday by the Department of Health and Human Services, it was recommended to change the level of fluoride per liter of water to 0.7 milligrams which would replace the standard range since 1962 of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter.
Many parents may become concerned by this report, since we have all been told over the past years to let our children drink our tap water because of the health benefits of the fluoride. Now we will need to wait and see what further information the HHS comes back to us with by spring 2011 when they are expected to publish their final community water fluoridation report.
To read the full report from the HHS, click here. Also, for more information about fluorosis and young children’s intake of fluoride, check out this link from Delta Dental.

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