FLOURIDE: Smile at the positives

The feature article on fluoride was good except for some minor disclaimers. Fluorosis is actually a hardening of the enamel, not necessarily damaging. Yes, some damage of the enamel can occur, but practicing here in Coeur d’Alene for 33 years as a Pediatric Dentist, I have NEVER seen any mottled enamel originate for North Idaho. 

Also, the white spotting that does appear gets blamed on fluoride, but actually comes from hypocalcification caused by early childhood sicknesses, even something as subtle as ear infection during the development period of the enamel. The latent white spotting of teenagers as well as small children is due to the misuse of the diet via pop, overuse of the bottle or even sippy cups. This is far and wide the most prevalent problem. Having practiced dentistry for more than 40 years I can unequivocally claim that without fluoride, the prevalence of people with loss of teeth due to decay, (like many of the older generations before and during the ‘60s prior to the introduction of fluoride) would be very devastating today. 

JOHN M. UKICH, DDS

Coeur d’Alene