Are you less likely to get dental cavities if you drink fluoridated
water?

Greetings, nancyb.

The short answer to your question is yes - fluoride is good for the
teeth and so water containing fluoride is a good thing for
cavity-prevention. I was reading a newspaper article recently that was
discussing how those people who only drink bottled water on the whole
had teeth in a worse condition than the people who drank mainly
fluoridated water.

This view is shared by many dental and health professionals. 

"Minister backs fluoridated water."
[ http://uk.news.yahoo.com/031023/143/ebxh5.html ]

"Drinking a glass of fluoridated water is now the "preferred method"
of preventing tooth decay, according to the public health minister.

Melanie Johnson wrote to MPs last week informing them that people who
drink fluoridated water can protect their teeth "without needing to
take any personal action"."


A very comprehensive answer to your question, "The Vital Role of
Flouride in Dental Health" can be found here:

[ http://www.dentalcomfortzone.com/archive/VitalRoleFluoride.html ]

The most relevant extract from this source is perhaps:

"Topical use of fluoride helps to prevent cavities by strengthening
the surface of the teeth (the enamel), reducing the ability of
bacteria contained in dental plaque to produce acid, and by
re-mineralizing existing dental cavities. Fluoride can actually heal
small cavities in some cases, and prevent the need for dental
fillings."

Thank you for your question - if you would like to know anything else
then please ask for a clarification.

Best wishes,
Jon.

Search strategy on Google:
"fluoridated water"
"fluoridated water" "dental cavities"

I would like to respectfully suggest that the Fluoride issue needs
further investigation. Check this site: 
http://www.raysofsunshine.com/rays_of_sunshine_056.htm  Or do a google
search for "fluoride hoax."

I would like to point out that your source is a website selling herbal
toothpaste, with something to gain by discrediting the benefits of
fluoride. It appears to be a personal opinion without any scientific
backing, and I would be wary of accepting any of the information it
contains.

"Flouride enters your bloodstream quickly and rapidly sublingually and
despite what the ADA says it is a POISON!"

This seems to me to be one person (with a profit motive) against the
American Dental Association, and I know who I would rather trust.

Here's a piece regarding the an opposing view, from a whole website on the topic:
http://www.fluoridealert.org/limeback.htm

Personally I try to avoid fluoride. I'm fairly sure they put this rat
posion in our water to sedate us, and accept what we are told.