Fluoride facts versus fear
by Matthew Block, Calgary

Re: Fluoride doesn’t belong in our water supply; The experts clearly had ‘settled science’ wrong and our children paid the price, Opinion, July 17

Licia Corbella’s recent column on fluoride is profoundly anti-scientific. She uses the techniques of the anti-vaccine movement, such as fearmongering and including many links that ultimately don’t support her point.

But worse than that, this article is distinctly classist. She seems to say that since fluoridated toothpaste is 69 cents, if poor people don’t buy it then it’s their fault because it’s cheap. That has never been the issue. The issue is the cost of dentists. Less privileged people cannot afford to take their children to the dentist as often, so they don’t have the safety net that wealthier people do.

Without fluoride in the water and without term-term dental problems to result.

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Fluoride a natural benefit in England
by Fiona Coldridge, Calgary

I am 52 and never had tooth decay. The reason: I grew up in Carlisle, Cumbria, where fluoride naturally occurred in the water. I am very grateful for the fluoride that has given me healthy, strong teeth. I brushed my teeth infrequently due to my mom having health issues; it’s only the fluoride that prevented the tooth decay.

Licia Corbella states that water fluoridation causes fluorosis. That’s so misleading. It’s over consumption of fluoride that causes fluorosis or all the children of my generation in Carlisle would have had fluorosis. Corbella’s children will represent a minuscule percentage of Calgary’s children from 1997.

If you do not want your children to have fluoridated water from the water supply, use a water filter. They are easy to use.

Corbella is stating unproven conspiracy theories about fluoride that have been debunked many, many times.
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*Both letters online at https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/letters/your-letters-for-july-19-2

Notes from the Fluoride Action Network

• July 17: Corbella: Fluoride doesn’t belong in our water supply – Calgary Herald

• July 17: Corbella’s column was published also in the Calgary Sun

• July 19: Letters by Block & Coldridge published in response to Corbella’s July 17 column – Calgary Herald

• July 20: Letter by Doug Hand in response to Corbella’s July 17 column – Calgary Sun

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