IN THE Philippines, there is no fluoride in drinking water.
Studies show that dental care and oral hygiene – as well as the presence of fluoride in mouthwash and toothpaste – have prevented tooth decay as much as fluoride in drinking water.
However, a May 2024 study found a link between higher exposure to fluoride during pregnancy and increased neurobehavioral problems. A review of existing research conducted in August 2024 also found a link with lower IQ in children exposed to fluoride exceeding the World Health Organization guidelines of 1.5mg/l.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews of 157 research findings conducted in 2014 suggests that because of fluoride in toothpaste, community water fluoridation may now have only modest benefits in reducing tooth decay. It found little evidence that stopping fluoridation will greatly impact on socioeconomic disparities in dental health.
Just last January, the US National Institutes of Health found that IQs were lower in children exposed to higher levels of fluoride – as shown by its analysis of 74 studies in 10 countries.
An editorial published with the report observed the results “support concerns for vulnerable populations living in communities with fluoridated water.” Still, a second editorial with the same report found multiple weaknesses of the analyses and warned that public policy concerning fluoride “should not be affected by the study findings.”
Other factors may be in play. In other countries where fluoride is not added in drinking water, a decrease in tooth decay has been observed since the 1970s.
Different countries have different initiatives on fluoride and oral health. For example, Manchester in the United Kingdom puts fluoride in milk for schoolchildren. Only one in 10 of people in the UK has access to fluoride – naturally or through local fluoride programs.
In Iceland, water is not fluoridated; instead, there are twice-monthly fluoride rinse programs in schools. The same program is available in Japan where it has been found more effective in preventing tooth decay when started at younger ages.
In Italy, the Society of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to reduce sugary food and drinks. Fluoride tablets, varnishes, gels or sealants are recommended to high-risk individuals.
Water fluoridation is not done in the Philippines as a matter of health policy. Toothpaste sold locally, however, may contain fluoride. The Pediatric Dentistry Center Philippines recommends brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste to help prevent dental problems. Filipinos are also increasingly buying bottled water, many of which contain fluoride at different levels.
Some areas in the Philippines, like Cavite, have naturally high fluoride levels while others may have insufficient levels. In Northern Metro Manila, fluoride is added to some water supplies to help prevent tooth decay.
About 372 million people in about 24 countries or nearly 6 percent of the world population) have access to fluoridated water. Water fluoridation is practiced in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Brazil and Chile. Mexico has no water fluoridation program; instead it has a table salt fluoridation program.
In contrast, most European countries – including Italy, France, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Scotland, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Switzerland – do not fluoridate water.
Naturally occurring fluoridated water at or above optimal levels are found in Sweden, Finland, and China. Water fluoridation is not practiced in India. Due to naturally-occurring fluoride, skeletal and dental fluorosis are common in China and India.
Less than 1 percent of Japan practices water fluoridation; it’s not compulsory in South Korea and Taiwan. In 1956, Singapore was the first Asian country to institute a water fluoridation program that covered 100 percent of the population.
Original article online at: https://www.panaynews.net/fluoride-and-filipinos/