A look at Fluoride

The New York Times (3/31, D7, Mcneil, Subscription Publication) reports that an Irish study has found that community water fluoridation, which was “long ago proved to protect children from cavities,” also helps adults over 50 retain their natural teeth. The study was part of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging and done by researchers at the dentistry school of Trinity College Dublin. It involved 5,000 adults older than 50 and found “those who lived in areas with fluoridated water were more likely to report having all their teeth.” The Times goes on to point to the safety of community water fluoridation, adding that good oral health has “long been linked to general well-being in older adults” and may be linked to specific health maladies such as heart disease.