Good Folk, I am learning. A bit late to start, you might suggest. But that’s if you already know me and are aware that I”m in that zone of age where people start to show you a bit of respect. That was “you”and not “me.” I jest. Something I will enjoy doing as I get into the routine of a weekly posting on this website. I decided I would like to start communicating through the written word. To get the hang of things and in recognition of not expecting you to have read that block I sent some time ago I am re-sending one or two relevant to today. This one below is to underscore how Mr Trump has started as he meant to go on. He said he was going to behave like a bull in a china shop (not quite those words of course) and sure enough he is. The secret in politics is that when he gets to four years and everyone says his tecniques are a disaster he will say – you have to be patient; nothing is achieved overnight. Unfortunately, disasters can be.
The original posting
The reader will be forgiven when heard emitting a slight groan at the United States of America appearing prominently in yet another article. But there is no denying that our modern status of Global Village means that anything of significance done by big-boy USA will tend to affect the rest of the world. And the communication systems of today will ensure everyone potentially knowing about an incident within thirty seconds of it happening.
Whether it’s the Israel:Hezbollah war – and thankfully now a ceasefire – in the Middle East or the Russia:Ukraine war not far beyond, the USA is never more than a stone’s throw away. It’s a pity they don’t just throw stones at each other! Even in the burning issues and continuously disappointing waffle by world leaders on the subject of climate change, the USA features prominently. In that case, as one of the two or three major emitters of greenhouse gases.
Having won the recent presidential election and brought the Republicans back in charge, Trump is now somewhat drunk with the power at his fingertips and said one member of his emerging team could “go wild” in his particular portfolio. What kind of statement is that? A wild one.
The individual concerned – Robert F. Kennedy Junior (RFK Jnr) – is a member of the famous Kennedy family, firmly established in earlier days, then quiet for a few decades; but now emerging into the limelight through RFK Jnr. As the Welsh like to say – and it would have to be legendary Welsh singer and performer, Tom Jones, saying it – “You can’t keep a good man down.” And despite having controversial and often thoroughly misguided views on food, medication and vaccine, RFK Jnr has been let loose on the USA by his boss, Mr Trump.
There is a well-worn expression – the trouble with America is you have too many wide-open spaces, surrounded by teeth. That’s rather uncharitable of course and just a joke anyway, but suggesting at the very least that the brash self-confidence encouraged and exemplified by its President-elect may well disappear as the teeth themselves vanish. Those mouths are going to get emptier, if RFK Jnr has his own way. One hot topic, relevant to that, is going to be the chemical known as fluoride.
Not much is known about fluoride in the public domain, hence it is often misspelt as “flouride,” even in the top journals. To give you some idea of the potency and sheer value of fluoride, it is considered by many in the medical and dental professions to be one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Before it came into use as a dental protection for every person – and at zero additional cost – most mature adults in the first world countries had false teeth. That’s a full set of dentures. There was a sweet shop at every street corner and, regardless of adult guidance, kids would happily munch away on sweets that contained refined sugar. The bacteria in their mouths would break down to create acidic waste, leading to tooth decay.
That meant the teeth would then be under acid attack. Before fluoride, the only built-in protection for teeth between morning and nighttime brushing was the relatively perfunctory impact of one’s saliva. Two of my closest friends both had a full set of dentures before they reached their early twenties. In today’s society that would be unthinkable. Apart from the aesthetics of it, there would be significant chewing and tasting change, possible gum inflammation and loss of bite force. And you’re already spending too much time looking for your house or car keys. Add in the search for your dentures and life gets frustrating!
So where’s the threat to fluoride’s safe place in American society? Well, RFK Jnr, now in charge of health told NBC last week, “I will give the American public good information on the science; and fluoride will disappear.” The negative views about fluoridation may gather momentum in the increasing American scepticism towards scientific and civic institutions. This will particularly harm children who don’t have access to regular dental care.
Fluoridated water keeps a low level of fluoride in the mouth all day. The ongoing alternative, fluoride toothpaste, provides a much higher concentration at important times of day (e.g., bedtime when saliva weakens). Both types of fluoride strengthen the outer tooth enamel and slow the activity of bacteria that cause cavities. The water approach is perhaps better because it is available to everyone at no cost at all.
Scientific evidence shows that fluoridating water is beneficial to dental health and safe at the levels the U.S. currently maintains, according to experts. Major public health groups, including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, support the use of fluoridated water. In the mid-20th century, the first city to fluoridate water, Grand Rapids, Michigan, saw a 60% decrease in the number of kids with cavities after eleven years. Anne-Marie Glenny, a professor of health science at the University of Manchester, who was an author on a Cochrane review of fluoridation and tooth decay, says, “It would be foolish to take fluoride out.”
If Trump and RFK Jr. succeed in using their positions to discourage fluoridation, the public health effects of the switch won’t be evident until those guys are long gone from political power and accountability. But it has become a live debate. Be comforted by the fluoride label on your toothpaste.