Fed up with falsehoods about fluoride

In response to Christine Robert's letter in the Oct.16 T.O. Acorn ("Opposes fluoride in tap water"), with all due respect, Ms. Robert, if you choose to sound the alarm of hazards associated with fluoride use in drinking water, please do a quick fact check.

One of your many errors is the assertion that, " . . . fluoride's benefits are topical, not systemic . . ."

Wrong, fluoride has intrinsic benefits to the formation of the teeth prior to eruption. In fact, Ms. Robert, you acknowledge this fact by pointing out that an excess amount of systemic fluoride can lead to a condition called dental fluorosis.

More importantly there have been no scientific studies ever published that link therapeutic levels of fluoride with an increased risk or incidence of osteosarcoma as you have suggested.

Similar to studies that deliver toxic levels of table salt or sugar, toxic levels of fluoride have been studied in the scientific community for ill effects.

Like effects found with salt and sugar, ill effects were found in these studies.

As for informed consent, a little common sense please. You have been informed, (so you can) use bottled water or filtered water if you wish to avoid the fluoride.

Do you insist on informed consent for the iodine added to salt to prevent goiters? Do you insist in informed consent for the vitamin D added to milk to prevent rickets? Ms. Robert, may I suggest a trip to Africa to see just how fortunate we are to have vitamins and minerals added to our diet to help prevent some devastating maladies that are life-altering or -ending in other countries. Yes, people die from dental decay.

Perhaps I'm wrong and informed consent should be obtained next time I enjoy spinach that has naturally occurring fluoride.

Or should I be concerned about my risk of osteosarcoma next time I consume toxic levels of spinach? Elizabeth Martens Newbury Park

Martens is a registered dental hygienist.