Where's the Fluoride?

The juiciest things are always brought to light by a salty employee who's on their way out of the job. In this case, that's exactly what occurred. An upset employee who resigned from their position as water superintendent revealed that the fluoride levels in the water in the town he serviced had been low for more than a decade. Apparently, the water in Richmond, Vermont has contained below the recommended levels of fluoride not for the reported four years, but for more than 10 years.

What's the significance? Well, let's start with what fluoride is. Fluoride is an inorganic (literally contains no carbon chains) monatomic anion of fluorine. Sodium fluoride is what is in the water to help with oral hygiene. How? Well, the introduction of fluoride to the enamel of teeth causes fluorapatite to be incorporated into the teeth. While fluorapatite is not a natural component of human teeth, it is similar to what is naturally found in teeth - hydroxyapatite. Even without fluoride human teeth are in a constant state of increases and decreases in mineral content depending on diet. Fluoride reduces decay of tooth enamel via the formation and incorporation of fluorapatite into the tooth's enamel. The fluoride ions reduce the rate of enamel demineralization in teeth that have the early stages of cavities. Fluoride is one of those weird things that only works upon exposure, so once it's swallowed it doesn't really have an effect.

It is noteworthy to know that not everyone is okay with the practice of putting fluoride in the water. While it's something relatively common in the US, there are questions of public health and informed consent. You wouldn't just trust a provider with a vaccine without knowing what it is, right? It's the same idea here, adding fluoride to water (providing a medical treatment) without alerting those who consume it gives the individual no choice in the medical treatment, especially if they are not informed of said medical treatment. Which is kind of what happened here. The employee who brought the fluoridation issue to life also does not agree with the current fluoridation policy and in his opinion is an "unacceptable risk to public health." He also claimed that fluoridation is voluntary and that the amounts of fluoride found in water are not mandated.

He's half right: while fluoridating water is actually voluntary, towns that choose to do so must maintain levels of fluoride within the state's recommendations and submit monthly reports to the state's Health Department. What is the town of Richmond planning to do? They have opted to raise the levels back to be within range.

Is fluoridated water the only way to get fluoride? No. There are a ton of toothpastes that contain fluoride and even some table salts and foods contain fluoride.

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