Dublin City Council votes against water fluoridation

Ziphius

Bongalongherb wrote: »

You would have to question as to why it was stopped in Germany if it is soo good for you.

Germans don't drink tap water as much as Irish people do. If you're not drinking the water, there's no point adding fluoride.

Bongalongherb

alastair wrote: »

Germans, in the main, fluoridate their salt. Presumably they also don't feel it's doing them harm to ingest it then. The state recommends that they do so, btw, so they didn't stop water fluoridation on account of any fears for ingested fluoride.

You seem to know every single thing about what the heads of Germany's political establishment in regards to why they stopped fluoridation in your above comment. Interesting.

yes they do fluoridate their salt, at least they give their citizens the choice on whether to use this home-provided salt of their country, or to purchase non-fluoridated salt imported. The citizen has a choice.

You say 'presumably they also don't feel it's doing them harm to ingest it' ?
You are assuming that every single German citizen thinks this way ? how would you know the minds of every German citizen's thinking regarding their thoughts on ingesting fluoride ?.

so they didn't stop water fluoridation on account of any fears for ingested fluoride.

Prove it.

alastair

Bongalongherb wrote: »

You seem to know every single thing about what the heads of Germany's political establishment in regards to why they stopped fluoridation in your above comment. Interesting.

I certainly know why they didn't stop water fluoridation - because of health concerns regarding injesting fluoridated water. They continue to recommend ingesting fluoride (in salt) as part of best practise in combatting tooth decay - particularly in children.

Bongalongherb wrote: »

yes they do fluoridate their salt, at least they give their citizens the choice on whether to use this home-provided salt of their country, or to purchase non-fluoridated salt imported. The citizen has a choice.

That's entirely true.

Bongalongherb wrote: »

You say 'presumably they also don't feel it's doing them harm to ingest it' ?
You are assuming that every single German citizen thinks this way ? how would you know the minds of every German citizen's thinking regarding their thoughts on ingesting fluoride ?.

Prove it.

I never claimed every single German did so. I'm well aware that Germany has it's fair share of loons, who fear that their life essences are being sapped by fluoride. But a majority of salt purchased for domestic use is fluoridated - and I think it's fair to suggest that consumers there don't opt to buy the harmful option, any more than they would elsewhere? (kicking the whole issue about whether salt of any shade is a good thing to consume).

Cianmcliam

"Activists are calling for Halifax to stop adding fluoride to tap water, but their science isn’t sound"

http://halifaxmag.com/cover/the-battle-for-your-teeth/

Bongalongherb

If the population of Ireland voted in majority (If we had a vote) to keep our main-tap-water fluoridated, then that would be ok with me. As in any vote/referendum, you have to respect the majority, as is democracy, the freedom to vote regarding what the populous thinks is right/correct, and I respect this outcome regardless of my personal opinions.

It would be very interesting to see what the result would be if a vote was allowed similar to a referendum.

But... Would you folk be as respectful towards the outcome if it were a No, regarding the removal of fluoride from the main-water-system ?.

alastair

Bongalongherb wrote: »

If the population of Ireland voted in majority (If we had a vote) to keep our main-tap-water fluoridated, then that would be ok with me. As in any vote/referendum, you have to respect the majority, as is democracy, the freedom to vote regarding what the populous thinks is right/correct, and I respect this outcome regardless of my personal opinions.

It would be very interesting to see what the result would be if a vote was allowed similar to a referendum.

But... Would you folk be as respectful towards the outcome if it were a No, regarding the removal of fluoride from the main-water-system ?.

We don't have referendums, except for constitutional changes. We vote for candidates and parties, on the basis of their manifestos. There's no evidence in those voting choices, that the populace particularly care one way or another on water fluoridation. Since it's not harmful, does a bit of good, and doesn't cost very much, it's pretty uncontroversial. Boring even. In fact about the only entertaining aspect of the subject is the litany of guff that those opposed to water fluoridation drag up in order to try and make it a compelling issue.

Godge

Bongalongherb wrote: »

yes they do fluoridate their salt, at least they give their citizens the choice on whether to use this home-provided salt of their country, or to purchase non-fluoridated salt imported. The citizen has a choice.

And we now give our citizens a choice. Pay for your fluoridated tap water or but alternative non-fluoridated bottled water in the shops.

Godge

Bongalongherb wrote: »

If the population of Ireland voted in majority (If we had a vote) to keep our main-tap-water fluoridated, then that would be ok with me. As in any vote/referendum, you have to respect the majority, as is democracy, the freedom to vote regarding what the populous thinks is right/correct, and I respect this outcome regardless of my personal opinions.

It would be very interesting to see what the result would be if a vote was allowed similar to a referendum.

But... Would you folk be as respectful towards the outcome if it were a No, regarding the removal of fluoride from the main-water-system ?.

Yay, let's have a referendum on drink/driving limits, another one on pub opening hours, a final one on cigarette prices. Are you beginning to get the picture yet?

Bongalongherb

Godge wrote: »

And we now give our citizens a choice. Pay for your fluoridated tap water or but alternative and non-fluoridated bottled water in the shops.

Fixed that ^

Paying for both is a bit disingenuous to say the least.

Godge

Bongalongherb wrote: »

Fixed that ^

Paying for both is a bit disingenuous to say the least.

The choice is between

(1) Fluoride supporters paying extra
(2) Fluoride opponents paying extra

Given that the overwhelming scientific evidence supports (1), it is those in (2) who should pay. Simple.

Godge

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/pouring-cold-water-on-anti-fluoridation-arguments-1.1959508


Excellent article that demolishes the anti-fluoridation arguments.

The_Captain

In what's sure to annoy people, this is making the rounds amongst environmental scientists at the moment

Ziphius

Environmental scientists you say? Anyone other than Declan Waugh?

rafaetha

That is great news! Happy to know we will be fluoride free! People are educated enough to brush their teeth every after meal, aren't they?

murphaph

I went to the dentist this morning for my 6 monthly prophylaxis and as always at the end, the dental technician coated my teeth in a high concentration of fluoride and let it soak in for 5 mins before I rinsed and spat. I am personally glad that we are not force medicated fluoride in the water supply here. It is great stuff for teeth but I am not at all convinced that it doesn't have long term effects on the body when ingested.

oscarBravo

murphaph wrote: »

It is great stuff for teeth but I am not at all convinced that it doesn't have long term effects on the body when ingested.

If only there were some way of actually finding out whether some such long-term effects existed. It's a shame nobody has ever thought to do any scientific studies into the subject.

Oh wait, they have.

If you're not convinced by scientific studies, what would it take to convince you?

Bongalongherb

Bongalongherb wrote: »

In your opinion.

It's not just his opinion, it is proven fact.

djpbarry

murphaph wrote: »

I am personally glad that we are not force medicated fluoride in the water supply here. It is great stuff for teeth but I am not at all convinced that it doesn't have long term effects on the body when ingested.

But you undoubtedly ingest some when you receive your dental treatment? You also undoubtedly ingest small amounts of toothpaste every single day.