Persuasive Essay On Fluoride Water

It has become well known that there is fluoridation in the water that we are drinking every day and thus has led to the claim that the fluoride that is present in the water is dangerous for the consumer. There are two strongly supported sides to this claim and has been a controversial subject for many years. The most concerning danger that causes scare is that the fluoridated water can be related to increased cancer risk. As of now, the level of fluoridation in the United States drinking water is not dangerous for the consumer. The United States saw its first adjustment of the fluoride content of the water supply in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the mid-1940s which was raised to be 1.0 ppm, or 1 milligram of fluoride per liter of water. This was the start of a nationwide trend in which the US saw more than 70 percent of the population, that was served by public water systems, had access to fluoridated water (NCI 2017). Naturally occurring fluoride concentrations in surface waters depend on location but are generally low and usually do not exceed 0.3 ppm. However, groundwater can contain much higher levels of fluoride before any adjustment takes place. When fluoride is present it works by attaching to the tooth enamel, which is primarily made up of hydroxylapatite, a crystal composed of calcium, phosphorus, hydrogen and oxygen, according to Scientific American (Main 2015). That is why fluoride is found in toothpaste and other teeth-repairing and cleaning products.
By having fluoride in drinking water, the dosage cannot be controlled, since some people drink much more water than others (Main 2015). Pro-fluoridation supporters say that the process is ‘safe and effective’ for reducing cavities, particularly in young