It shouldn’t be up to cities to decide to add fluoride to drinking water, but provincial officials, a Canadian mayor says.
Windsor, Ont., is bucking a national trend and looking at lifting its ban on adding fluoride to drinking water after seeing an increase in cavities among children.
Community water fluoridation is recommended by public health, medical and dental groups, including the Canadian and American Dental Associations, Canada’s Chief Dental Officer and the World Health Organization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called its contribution to the decline in cavities one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
Fluoride is a mineral that binds to the enamel of teeth, strengthening them to prevent bacterial decay.
But ever since Canadian communities first introduced fluoridation in 1945, some cities have gritted their teeth at the contentious addition, and the debate continues. Some Windsor city council members initially argued that fluoride could be obtained cheaply from toothpaste and other critics have presented general fears over adding chemicals to water supplies.
To view the full story, please click here.
