Fluoride can be beneficial in the prevention of cavities. You drink fluoridated water, use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash, and have your teeth coated with fluoride at the dentist office. Many people don't realize, however, that consuming fluoride poses some health risks. Conditions such as bone cancer in men have been associated with fluoride use.
Fluoride and Bone Cancer
A study published in the May 2006 issue of "Cancer Causes and Control" showed a correlation between osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, in males and fluoride exposure in drinking water during childhood. Bone cancer incidence was not consistent among females. The researchers concluded, however, that further studies are required to support or disprove these results.
Possible Mechanism
Most of the fluoride you consume is stored in your bones, especially during times of rapid bone growth. Fluoride can be a mutagen, causing the formation of irregular bone cells and leading to bone cancer, according to the Fluoride Action Network. Since boys get bone cancer more often than girls and the condition is relatively rare, the difference fluoride can make is more obvious for this population.
Considerations
The National Cancer Institute claims that there isn't sufficient evidence that fluoride increases bone cancer risk. The research that they list on their statement regarding fluoridated water, however, only includes studies conducted up to 1999. More research is needed to determine whether there is a connection between bone cancer in males and fluoridation.
Need for Fluoridated Water
The reasoning behind fluoridated water is to reduce cavities. Fluoride, however, works best for this purpose when applied to the surface of the teeth, not when ingested. The prevalence of cavities has gone down since the start of water fluoridation both in areas where water is fluoridated and areas where it is not, according to the Fluoride Action Network. This calls into question whether fluoridation of water is worth the potential health risks.
References
- Fluoride Action Network: Fluoride & Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
- Fluoride Action Network:Fluoride & Tooth Decay (Caries)
- PubMed; "Cancer Causes and Control"; Age-specific Fluoride Exposure in Drinking Water and Osteosarcoma; Bass, E.B. et al.; May 2006
- "The Observer"; Fluoride Water Causes Cancer'; Bob Woffinden; June 12, 2005
- National Cancer Institute: Fluoridated Water: Questions and Answers; June 29, 2005
