> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Water quality doesn’t mean fluoride
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/water-quality-doesnt-mean-fluoride-editor/
- Published: 2006-05-29T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:06:58.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Bill Russell Santa Monica*

I just received the Santa Monica annual Water Quality Report, and was alarmed to read the city is preparing to put fluoride in the drinking supply. My understanding is that: a) Unlike fluoride directly contacting teeth as used in toothpaste, there is no reliable evidence that fluoride ingested is beneficial without risk. b) Even if we were to accept that additional fluoride ingestion was helpful, harmful effects of long-term fluoride contact inside the body are at best unknown. c) Dental fluoridosis is a known and accepted risk, a condition where too much fluoride actually weakens and damages the teeth of growing children — this is one of the reasons dentists no longer fluoridate patients teeth during office visits. d) The amount of fluoride ingestion — or any chemical — cannot be controlled when it is in drinking water. e) It is not standard policy or practice to use a drinking supply as a means for “medicating” the public; fluoride is the rare exception. f) The fluoride used is an industrial by-product, and there is considerable profit/conflict-of-interest in selling fluoride and associated fluoridation processes to municipalities. g) If individual citizens wish to accept the risk by choice, there are methods available by which one can controllably ingest the chemical, including — seriously — eating toothpaste. h) Again, only fluoride contact with teeth as used in toothpaste is known to harden teeth; too much fluoride starts to have opposite effects, as well other toxic effects on the body, thus fluoride use is not to be undertaken carelessly. i) Given the knowns and unknowns, shouldn’t I have a choice?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 29, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052906.pdf?ref=smdp.com)