Most of us have been raised to believe that fluoride was good for teeth. However, there has always been a great deal of controversy surrounding fluoride's safety. Recently, the debate has been fueled by Belgium's ban on the sale of fluoride tablets and chewing gums.

The Belgium ministry made the decision after the results of a study commissioned by an advisory board found that excessive use of fluoride products could cause fluoride poisoning, damage the nervous system and foster osteoporosis, where bones become weak and fragile. Toothpaste was not included in the ban because it is regulated under the cosmetic act not food laws as the supplements are. The ban includes fluoride drops, tablets and chewing gums.

Although this is the first ban on fluoride products, 98 percent of Western Europe and Japan have rejected fluoridation of drinking water based on studies showing it may do more harm than good. However, in the US where water is fluoridated the debate rages on.

Fluoride became popular in the 1940s when the dilemma arose of how to legally dispose of sodium fluoride, a by-product created by the aluminum industry. Studies funded by the public health department concluded that fluoride prevented tooth decay. The issue became political and before objections had been considered fluoride was being pushed for tooth health and added to drinking water.

According to Dr. Linda Page, author of Healthy Healing, the fluoride used today is more toxic as it is a by product of the fertilizer industry and composed of arsenic, lead aluminum and uranium. It has never been argued that high doses of fluoride are toxic. Just over two grams of fluoride, roughly a teaspoon is enough to kill a 160 pound adult. In the US people have died or become sick when faltering fluoridation equipment pumped excess fluoride into water. Fluoride was even used in the 1950s to suppress thyroid activity.

Anti-fluoride activists claim that even if people don't drink fluoridated water they are already receiving too much fluoride from a whole host of sources including pesticides, fluoride in dental products, processed foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water, like beer, soda, and juice and from mechanically deboned meats.

In addition studies by the World Health Organization show a decline in cavities in the US and Europe suggesting that betteroral hygiene and not fluoride was the reason for the decline. In fact, in a recent study by the New York Department of Health, children who drank fluoridated water had more cavities and tooth discoloration than children who drank non-fluoridated water. According to the Fluoride Action Network, the dental community concedes that fluoride is largely ineffective at preventing the most common type of cavity-pit and fissure decay, which is prevented by sealants not fluoride. Many scientists and dentists are back-tracking on their support of fluoridation based on mounting evidence. The US Poison Control Center receives over 11,000 calls a year for poisoning from ingesting fluoride toothpaste. Young children who are more likely to swallow toothpaste are especially at risk.

The choice to use fluoride should be an individual one which is why many countries have rejected mandatory fluoridation of water.

If you wish to avoid fluoride there are several non-fluoridated toothpastes on the market.

To learn more about the fluoride issue visit the Fluoride Action Network on the web at www.fluoridealert.org