Well water contains a fluoride content of 30 parts per million or even higher. In this proportion, certain susceptible individuals suffer stained, discoloured and malformed teeth. Over time, the intake of fluoride may result in a bending of the spine. At its worse, fluorosis is a crippling disease. But people who get their water supply from a municipality source need not worry about fluoride. This water contains a fluoride content of one part per million. In this proportion, fluoride performs a beneficial role. It combines with enamel to make teeth stronger, it helps reverse the decay process and helps in preventing the growth of bacteria.

A few years ago, the government was seriously considering laying a ban on fluoride in toothpastes. This would have been a most retrograde step. Fortunately, the ban did not come into effect. All over the world, fluoride toothpastes are being actively sold. These are especially helpful as people's diets begin to include refined carbohydrates in larger quantities, leaving their teeth more susceptible to the process of decay.

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