Chemistry - Fluoridation of Water - Essay Example

The world has realized the importance of regular fluoride intake. Hence there are many dental products are available in the markets that have fluoride as chief component. With the changing climatic conditions, high mobility rate of the population and availability of wide range of fluoridated products, people have started experiencing side effects of fluoride. Hence water fluoridation needed or not is still controversy. About Fluoridation Water fluoridation process is defined as “the adjustment of the natural fluoride concentration of fluoride-deficient water to the level recommended for optimal dental health” ("American Dental Association").

Fluoride is an ionic form of Fluorine which is thirteenth naturally found element in the soil. Fluoride is abundant near the mountainous area where it can readily get dissolved with groundwater or surface water. Fluoride has great affinity towards calcium and hence found at the bones and teeth. ("Oral Health in America”).As per the facts sheet released by American Dental Association (ADA), fluoride has capacity to reduce incidences of dental cavities in children up to 60% whereas for adults it is 30-35 %.

(“American Dental Association”). . Dr McKay was startled to see so many patients having brownish spots on their teeth. This was something he never experienced before. He kept observing such patients for almost 6 years while having discussions with fellow dentist but he failed to diagnose correctly. He started suspecting drinking water supply. Later on these mottled enamel stains were coined as “Colorado brown stain”. ("NIDCR") Further Dr McKay got opportunity to work with Dr G.V Black, who was a renowned Dental research scientist.

They put immense efforts to solve brown stains mystery came up with two distinct findings. The first finding was children whose permanent teeth are yet to erupt are getting more affected with Colorado Brown Stains than the adults. Second finding was that brown stained or mottled enamel teeth are less susceptible to decay. In spite of so much of thesis both these geniuses could not identify the prime causative factor and continued doubting drinking water. Dr Black worked on the same topic till his death ("NIDCR").

Later on, in 1923, Dr McKay was invited to Oakley, Idaho to inspect some pediatric cases where children were having similar brown stains on their teeth. Parents told that brown stains appeared only after they started drinking water through newly created pipeline of nearby water source .Dr McKay asked the civilians to cut off this water supply and he got the hint that drinking water could be the probable cause of mottled enamel. Water samples were sent for lab investigations but there were no conclusive findings ("NIDCR").

In 1931, Dr. McKay and Dr Grover Kempf started investigating Bauxite water sample with the help of chemist of Mr. H.V Churchill. They conducted “photo spectrographic analysis” with the water sample couple of times to make sure the