My wife and I grew up in northern Utah without the benefit of fluoridated water and consequently our teeth required numerous fillings (almost every surface).
In contrast, our six children grew up in areas with fluoridated water in Indiana, Arizona, Oregon, Wyoming, Florida and South Carolina (we moved a lot!), with almost no cavities whatsoever. One of our sons ended up a dentist with wonderful teeth and a dental practice in Virginia.
Utah’s prohibition of fluoridated water is one of the dumbest actions ever for another reason: Nearly all U.S. water sources contain some level of natural fluoride. Water without any natural fluoride is rare, but years ago I knew four young men (LDS missionaries) who came from a town in Colorado without any natural fluoride. Two of them — young men in their twenties — already had false teeth! (One was a partial.)
Over 62% of Americans have been safely drinking fluoridated water for years. I feel bad for the thousands of Utah children (including grandchildren of Utah legislators) who will be suffering in future dentist chairs because of this stupid law!
Don E. Gardner, Ogden
