Dianne's story
by Dianne Standen
I was a conscientious parent in the 1970's who believed the information being touted by government health bodies about fluoride.
I did not observe any cause for concern until I noticed white flecking and brown discolouration that developed after my children's second teeth came through. This was very marked, and although I often enquired of dentists what was the cause I did not get a straight answer until my eldest child was about 11. Dental fluorosis was identified but I was told it was of no concern other than cosmetic.
My daughter chose in her teens to remove the discolouring by having veneers. My son refused veneers but is now very self concious of the condition of his teeth.
My daughter has, over 15 years, had to have her veneers replaced twice and will face huge dental bills over her lifetime to repair the teeth damaged by fluorosis. Neither has she had any significant protection from decay (the claimed benefit of fluoridation) even though she was brought up on a low sugar diet.
Both children have health issues that concern me and may be linked to the large doses of fluoride they received at a formative age.
I did not appreciate the damage and risk that accumulating levels of fluoride pose to the body until I came to live in a fluoridated area (unknowingly!) and started to do some basic background research. For myself, during the time I have lived here I believe the presence of fluoride may be a contributory factor in both digestive and low energy problems.
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