This Podcast Will Kill You Ep 178 Fluoride 1: The real tooth fairy
Jun 10, 2025
Explore the controversial history of fluoride and the origins of water fluoridation. Discover how early dental observations led to groundbreaking public health initiatives. Delve into the rise of anti-fluoride sentiment, fueled by misinformation and activist campaigns. Learn about the compelling scientific evidence supporting fluoride's safety and efficacy in reducing dental caries. Unpack the societal implications of removing community fluoridation and what that means for public health outcomes.
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McKay's Dental Detective Story
- Frederick McKay noticed mottled enamel in Colorado Springs and pursued the cause for decades.
- His curiosity led to linking high water fluorine with dental mottling and lower decay rates.
Dose Matters: Plateau At ~1 ppm
- H. Trendley Dean found a dose-response link between fluoride levels and both mottling and cavity protection.
- Caries protection plateaued around ~1 ppm while higher levels increased fluorosis risk.
Grand Rapids Fluoridation Trial
- Grand Rapids was chosen for a fluoridation experiment starting in 1945 with Muskegon as control.
- After 15 years, treated children showed a ~50% drop in decayed, missing, and filled teeth.
