Since 1990, the fluoride free movement has increased education, awareness, and fought for the freedom of choice for residents of communities around the world. According to representatives at the Fluoride Action Network, 2014 marks the single best year for the fluoride free movement to date. In total, the movement has eliminated fluoride in the communities of more than 14 million people globally.
This year has been a big one for the fluoride free movement. Since 1990, dozens of communities around the world have eliminated water fluoridation programs. In that time, an estimated 14 million individuals have been freed from fluoride, according to numbers gathered by the Fluoride Action Network. In the Sunshine State, commissioners in Hernando County recently voted to go fluoride free, protecting nearly 175,000 Florida residents from the potentially toxic side effects of such programs.
As the holiday season begins, we can’t help but get excited with the joy and laughter that seems just around the corner. Family, friends, and good home cooked meals are just a few of the best things about the holidays. This time of year, it’s always nice to take a moment to reflect on all the good things in our lives, while also taking time to recommit ourselves to healthier lifestyle choices. Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to start thinking of ways to stay healthy! From Thanksgiving through the end of December, there are plenty of opportunities to improve the health of your teeth, gums, and total body. As the gateway to the entire body, the mouth plays a vital role in holistic health. Take a moment to review this list of tips for cavity prevention during the holidays, and experience health benefits that extend far beyond the teeth and gums.
Oil pulling is an all-natural way to improve oral health. Although oil pulling is just now enjoying positive feedback from dental patients, it is actually an age old practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It wasn’t until the 1990s that health experts in the Western world began recommending oil pulling as a way to naturally detoxify the body, particularly the teeth and gums. Today, many holistic dentists recognize oil pulling as a safe, easy, and inexpensive way to significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay, oral infection, and gum disease.
This February, Assure A Smile raises awareness for children's oral health needs. According to studies published by the Surgeon General, American children suffer from chronic tooth decay at alarming numbers, predisposing the nation's youth to serious health issues. In the short run, high rates of tooth decay can lead to gum disease, infection, and gingivitis. Long term, however, the bacteria that causes gum disease has been found to also cause heart disease and increase the risk of stroke.
Silky, sweet, and smooth, chocolate has been adored for more than 3,000 years by cultures from around the world. Though considered by many to be a delicious treat, new research suggests chocolate might be better categorized as a “super food” that is more similar to the blueberry than the cupcake. There are at least 7 reasons to smile about this delicious food, each of which stems from the fact that chocolate is produced from cacao, a special seed that contains powerful concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anti-bacterial properties.
At the end of 2012, Portland city council members met behind closed doors in an attempt to pass a public water fluoridation mandate. When word of the council’s plan leaked, citizens sprang into action, collecting an unprecedented 400,000+ signatures to bring the controversial decision to the public for a vote. Six months have passed since that time, and we're happy to announce that the residents of Portland have successfully voted to keep public water free of fluoride.
So, what can we learn about Portland’s recent underdog victory against the pro-fluoride lobby?
Water fluoridation has been hailed as one of the greatest achievements in public health of the 20th century, particularly in the fight against tooth decay and oral disease. However, an ever-growing body of research indicates that fluoride accumulates in the body and causes serious health issues. As scientists and health professionals increasingly warn Americans about the potentially toxic side effects of fluoride ingestion, one is left to wonder: Why is fluoride being added to our drinking water?
Fluoridegate—An American Tragedy explores this looming question, citing original research findings from as early as the 1950s that describe the dangerous side effects of fluoride exposure. Produced and directed by former President of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), Dr. David Kennedy, Fluoridegate takes an uncensored look at the sordid history of water fluoridation programs and their true impact on public health.
The fluoride-free dentistry movement has recently gained some star power, as actor and environmental advocate Ed Begley Jr. released a new Public Service Announcement (PSA), speaking out against the dated and potentially dangerous practice. The PSA was released in conjunction with the Fluoride Action Network, a leading advocacy group that aims to spread awareness for the toxicity of fluoride among citizens, scientists, and policymakers.
The fluoride free movement continues to see unprecedented momentum in 2013 as Israel announces the phase-out of public water fluoridation requirements. First put into action in 2002, Israel’s fluoridation mandate formerly required all municipalities to treat public water with fluoride. That mandate will be lifted within a year, however, empowering Israeli municipalities to reduce exposure to the potentially toxic mineral by going fluoride free.