Bottled water, cavities linked

Drinking too much bottled water may be contributing to a rise in tooth decay, especially among young children, according to several local dentists who specialize in children's dentistry.

After looking into children's mouths in Brevard County for more than three decades, they said, they are seeing the worst "epidemic of cavities" in many years.

Although, increasingly, a number of commercially sold waters contain some fluoride -- a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay -- it may not be enough to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's optimal standards, said Dr. Ray Pollock, a pediatric dentist with offices in Melbourne and Palm Bay.

"We've spent 50 years getting (tap) water fluoridated" as a public-health measure, he said. "And, now, because so many children consume bottled water instead, we're seeing a ton of decay."
more from Environmental Health News