[bigbottle]

(Original post by akilleez)
What do you think a solution to people with hand motor difficulties should do (e.g elderly, amputees or some disease like arthiritis)? Wouldn't it be easier for them to drink fluoridated water? Also some could argue that the elderly have reduced salivary flow and the natural flourine ions in saliva aren't reaching the teeth. They might need to have the flouridated water. What is your respone?

1. Electronic toothbrushes and/or balls or elastic bands which you can attach to toothbrushes are useful for the elderly in particular or anyone with poor manual dexterity.

2. Saliva stimulatory chewing gums or just regularly making you you drink water can help with the reduced saliva flow.

[QuantumOverlord]

(Original post by The Bright Beast)
No, it should not be fluoridated - nobody should have the right to put chemicals (whether benevolent, inert or harmful) in our bodies without consent. Judith Jarvis Thomson used the analogy of the famous violinist using your kidneys as dialysis without your permission as a way to argue that the right to choose what happens in your own body overrides the right to someone's life in terms of abortion, but it can easily be applied here. The right to choose what happens in our body should override the health benefits possibly obtained from fluoridation.

(Fluoridation could be beneficial, but it's the fact that it would be non-consensual and difficult to stop for people who opposed it.)


EDIT: really, negging for my opinion?

Nonsense, water is a chemical, as are the dry contaminants within it, as is basically everything on earth, and all of the atomic matter in the universe.

[bigbottle]

(Original post by TheHansa)
If you use toothpaste there is no need and you could end up having too much if the water is both fluridated and you clean your teeth as most people do.

You'd be surprised at the amount of people that don't. Don't assume everyone else brushes just because you do.
Have you not read about the social determinants of health? Health is not only affected by the behaviour of the individual, but also the environment that the individual lives in.
Well generally only 1ppm is added to the water, which isn't high enough to cause fluorosis (white patchey staining on your teeth).

[Bobo1234]

(Original post by bigbottle)
Just because you brush your teeth, doesn't mean everyone else does. There are lots of reasons why some people don't place oral health as a top health priority, mainly due to socio-economic factors.

Some people may have difficulty in accessing dental care due to mobility problems, chronic illnesses, lack of knowledge about how to access services, lack of knowedge about needs etc.

Water fluoridation has been proven to be effective in reducing caries and the inequalities that the disease has between groups.
A crucial time when waterfluoridation is useful is in babies whose teeth are in the pre-development stages. Studies have shown that the level of fluoride you have in the water as a child is significantly related to tooth loss later in life as an adult.

Where do I fail to acknowledge that there are legit reasons for not brushing? Nowhere. I said if you can't be bothered to, you shouldn't be covered by us, not if you're incapable.

[bigbottle]

(Original post by Bobo1234)
Where do I fail to acknowledge that there are legit reasons for not brushing? Nowhere. I said if you can't be bothered to, you shouldn't be covered by us, not if you're incapable.

The same could be said for anything though, I'm sure they pay or have previously paid for the NHS through taxes and therefore would be eligible for interventions provided by the NHS just likely smokers are for lung cancer and alcoholics are for liver damage treatment.

[The Bright Beast]

(Original post by QuantumOverlord)
Nonsense, water is a chemical, as are the dry contaminants within it, as is basically everything on earth, and all of the atomic matter in the universe.

apologies, a chemical that isn't naturally found in water. (that doesn't involved dissolved minerals from the natural environment) I should have clarified.

[The Bright Beast]

(Original post by bigbottle)
You've watched Kabin In The Woods, haven't you.

noes, I haven't actually. should I?

[whyumadtho]

(Original post by akilleez)
What is your opinion on compulsory vaccination? e.g against small pox

Smallpox is a virulent, communicable disease that has the potential to escalate into a deadly epidemic (or pandemic) quite easily; tooth decay is a private, non-communicable condition that has no external implications.

[Jeester]

My water comes from the bore holes on the stretton hills. I basically bath in bottle spring water.

[Toaster Leavings]

Couldn't give a crap. I even drink from lead pipes in my house. Never did me any harm. (wibble)

[Alexok]

I think people who care that much about these issues are just paranoid

[Retrodiction]

(Original post by The Bright Beast)
I personally would use the fluoridated water (because of the health benefits), but it's the fact that we'd have no choice of whether we get fluoridated water through our taps or not that bothers me. Take, for instance, the scenario that the government is corrupt and power-hungry. They could say that it is fluoride ions being put in the water, when in reality it is a chemical that suppresses our mental faculties to make us all 'sheep'. It's unethical to make these decisions for everyone, regardless of whether it will have 'benefits'

If the government were corrupt enough to do this why would they even bother trying to cover it up with a fluoride story?

[Kater Murr]

Fluorosis is unlikely to develop unless dentists prescribe excessive amounts to parents, which is a different problem entirely. Fluoridated water itself does more good than harm, in my opinion. With regard to putting chemicals in things without people's say so? Well, I don't care about the principle; chemicals are used in everything, these days; if you're so bothered that the guv are trying to keep your teeth clean, just buy bottled water.

[QuantumOverlord]

(Original post by The Bright Beast)
apologies, a chemical that isn't naturally found in water. (that doesn't involved dissolved minerals from the natural environment) I should have clarified.

Well you should know then that fluride is naturally found in water, in the middle east in levels actually far higher than the artifically increased amounts in some parts of the UK.

[QuantumOverlord]

(Original post by Toaster Leavings)
Couldn't give a crap. I even drink from lead pipes in my house. Never did me any harm. (wibble)

Ye, that isnt a good idea. Its the long term effects I'd be worried about.

[akilleez]

(Original post by Jeester)
My water comes from the bore holes on the stretton hills. I basically bath in bottle spring water.

Would you mind if it it fluoridated to 1ppm?

[akilleez]

(Original post by Alexok)
I think people who care that much about these issues are just paranoid

So are you indifferent to the mains being fluoridated?

[bigbottle]

(Original post by whyumadtho)
Smallpox is a virulent, communicable disease that has the potential to escalate into a deadly epidemic (or pandemic) quite easily; tooth decay is a private, non-communicable condition that has no external implications.

1. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases that is largely preventable.
2. 60-90% of children worldwide and the majority of adults experience tooth decay at some point in their life.
3. It's important to get contact with fluoride at the pre-eruption stages, and the easiest way to do this is by fluoridation of water.
4. Extensive research has been done and there is no evidence of health hazards or environmental hazards from the fluoridation of water.
5. Providing restorative treatment to treat caries is putting a burden on the NHS in terms of cost and resources, by preventing at the earlier stages we can reduce waiting lists and free up resources for other areas of healthcare to use.

[Jeester]

(Original post by akilleez)
Would you mind if it it fluoridated to 1ppm?

Well when I'm at uni it comes from mains and I'm not bothered at all. Though I already have flouride protection so I don't think it makes much difference.

Are you bothered about it?

[whyumadtho]

(Original post by bigbottle)
1. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases that is largely preventable. 2. 60-90% of children worldwide and the majority of adults experience tooth decay at some point in their life. 3. It's important to get contact with fluoride at the pre-eruption stages, and the easiest way to do this is by fluoridation of water. 4. Extensive research has been done and there is no evidence of health hazards or environmental hazards from the fluoridation of water. 5. Providing restorative treatment to treat caries is putting a burden on the NHS in terms of cost and resources, by preventing at the earlier stages we can reduce waiting lists and free up resources for other areas of healthcare to use.

You put these points together as if the fluoridation of water will obviate tooth decay and that the lack of fluoridation is therefore responsible for it. Ultimately, tooth decay can only prevented via the brushing of one's teeth on a regular basis and possessing a diet that is minimal in sugars and acids; it's 'easily preventable' on the condition that the individual follows those points. One can live without experiencing tooth decay without the consumption of fluoridated water.