The Evolution of Fluoride
Junior Division Group Webpage
By: Sydney Frost and Ally Osterberg
The shift from fluoride as a weapon in WWII, to a potential benefit to the public was a major change. Human's use of fluoride is a turning point in history because without fluoride, the Nazis might not have had as much control over the Jews, the Atomic Bomb might have not been as destructive, and our dental care today would be very different.
Our use of fluoride has undergone many advancements over the past 75-100 years. Fluoride was first used by the German Nazi's to keep prisoners of concentration camps docile, and under control. After that, high levels of fluoride were used in the atomic bomb. These two events of World War II led to experimentation of fluoride which then led to the Grand Rapids Fluoridation study. Before the Grand Rapids Fluoridation study, people did not fluoridate their water and tooth decay was at its highest level. After the study, tooth decay rapidly decreased, and fluoridated water and fluoridated health tools became used more and more throughout communities. The story of fluoride still continues as many controversies unfold each day.
Our use of fluoride has undergone many advancements over the past 75-100 years. Fluoride was first used by the German Nazi's to keep prisoners of concentration camps docile, and under control. After that, high levels of fluoride were used in the atomic bomb. These two events of World War II led to experimentation of fluoride which then led to the Grand Rapids Fluoridation study. Before the Grand Rapids Fluoridation study, people did not fluoridate their water and tooth decay was at its highest level. After the study, tooth decay rapidly decreased, and fluoridated water and fluoridated health tools became used more and more throughout communities. The story of fluoride still continues as many controversies unfold each day.
"The terms fluoride and fluorine should not be confused. Fluorine is an element, on of our planet's building blocks, an especially tiny atom that sits at the summit of the periodic table. It has nine positively charged atoms, and a skimpy miniskirt of electrons. Because of its extreme reactivity, fluorine is usually bound with other elements. The compounds are known as salts, or fluorides."
The Fluoride Deception, written by Christopher Bryson
"Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. It is found in rocks and soil everywhere, in fresh water and ocean water. In fact, waters in and around the United States have natural fluoride levels that range from 0.1 parts per million to over 12 parts per million."
Fluoride Information Network
"The word fluoride comes from the latin root fluor, meaning 'to flux' or 'to flow'"
The Fluoride Deception, written by Christopher Bryson
"Fluoride in optimal levels is essential in the development of teeth."
Dr. Tina S. Merhoff
(Tina S. Merhoff DDS Tina S. Merhoff & Associates Pediatric Dentistry)
"If you are curious about learning more about dental decay then you should learn the basics of fluoride. Fluoride is derived from Fluorine, the 13th most abundant element that is let into the environment naturally in both air and water. Fluoride is found in everything from water to soda to juices. Fluoride is also put into community drinking water through community water fluoridation."
Fluoridation Center
"Question: What Is Fluoride?Are you confused about the difference between fluoride and fluorine or simply want to know what fluoride is? Here's the answer to this common chemistry question.
Answer: Fluoride is the negative ion of the element fluorine. Fluoride often is written as F-. Any compound, whether it is organic or inorganic, that contains the fluoride ion is also known as a fluoride. Examples include CaF2 (calcium fluoride) and NaF (sodium fluoride). Ions containing the fluoride ion are similarly called fluorides (e.g., bifluoride, HF2−).To summarize: fluorine is an element; fluoride is an ion or a compound which contains the fluoride ion."
Anne Marie Helmenstine, PhD
"Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in the soil. It was first discovered in Colorado Springs, CO."
"Fluoride is a naturally present earth mineral that makes your teeth more resistant to decay and can even reverse decay in its early stages. Fluoride is also known to reduce tooth sensitivity. What’s more, the benefits of fluoride treatments are not limited to children. Adults also benefit from the protective effects of fluoride treatments, especially for those with some gum recession and root exposure."
Leari Family Dentistry
"Fluoride is a chemical ion of the element fluorine (from the Latin fluo meaning "to flow"), in that fluoride has one extra electron that gives it a negative charge. Fluoride is found naturally in water, foods, soil, and several minerals such as fluorite and fluorapatite. However, it is also synthesized in laboratories where it may be added to drinking water or used in a variety of chemical products. Fluoride is most commonly associated with dental hygiene products and tooth protection. Most people are exposed to fluoride through treated drinking water or products such as toothpaste and mouthwash."
Medical News Today
"Sixty years ago, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the world’s first city to adjust the level of fluoride in its water supply. Since that time, fluoridation has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans. Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century."
American Dental Association