[Boiler Plate]

Your story is repeated just about everywhere I go. The anti fluoride bunch make up all kinds of wacky “Truths about Fluoridation”. Funny thing is they all have enjoyed the benefits of fluoridation and have avoided the typical amounts of tooth decay from growing up without fluoridation.

[nyscof]

Tooth decay rates have gone down over the decades equally in fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries. At the same time, diets have improved, foods have been fortified, dental care more affordable, health awareness more pronounced. There are NO studies which prove that fluoridation, and none of the factors above or others, are responsible for the cavity decline. However, now that diets are decaying and dentists are selective about who they treat, tooth decay is a growing US problem, along with fluoride overdose symptoms which are ruining our children’s teeth - causing very expensive cosmetic dentistry - for those who can afford it.

[beezdotcom]

I've heard all the wacky "truths about fluoridation", too - but I'm also skeptical of the "wild success" it has been trumpeted to be. I've lived in a few places without fluoridated water (Hawaii for one) and I didn't see packs of rotted-tooth children being chased by gangs of drill-wielding dentists, either.

It's probably time for some fresh cost-benefit analyses to be done, instead of relying on extremely old studies on either side. (Disclaimer: I also think we should be reconsidering the ban on cyclamate, too.)

[eXe]

Yeah I have to agree, I never had a cavity until I moved to an area without fluoridated water. I have no idea why all the phobia over it.