Further ingestion after age six has no effect on the teeth, therefore the administration of this drug to the general population via drinking water is criminal when there is little evidence that infants even drink tap water at all. All the ones I see in my practice are there because they drink 'juice'. In conclusion my opinion is that administration of fluoride is a necessary adjunct to oral hygiene education in disadvantaged areas, but the decision to swallow it should be entirely voluntary. Margaret S Herbertson BDS New Cumnock , Scotland Research suggests that fluoride can cause a thickening of the bone around elderly people's hips, leading to fractures. Others have drawn links between fluoride and cancer.
Large amounts can also cause children's teeth to become brown and mottled.
But I think the main objection to adding fluoride to tap water is the moral argument against 'mass medication'. Similarly, with fluoride in tap water we are removing the element of choice and freedom. Eric Marsh, Tasmania, Australia.