Can drinking fluoridated water be harmful?
Fears have been raised in written materials and on the Internet that drinking fluoridated water, a potent cavity-preventor, may cause a wide range of disease states ranging from Alzheimer’s to cancer. However, the evidence for these claims is generally of very poor quality. The only clearly established risk known is fluorosis, a generally harmless, but permanent, staining of the teeth. Many studies have shown no increased health risk associated with the drinking of fluoridated water. Some studies have “suggested” a protective effect, while a few other studies have suggested that fluoridated water may increase the chance of developing certain conditions. Overall, reviews of the scientific literature have found no consistent evidence linking the drinking of fluoridated water with the likelihood of any disorder.
