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Bottled Water Could Be Bad For Your Teeth

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Jun 19, 2007 7:01 am US/Eastern

Bottled Water Could Be Bad For Your Teeth

by Tanya Rivero
NEW YORK (CBS) ― As more and more people turn to bottled water to quench their thirst, could they actually be short-changing their health?

New York City resident Herminda Camacho believes her family's healthy teeth are the result of religiously drinking the city's tap water.

"Ask my dentist, for my age, they're in very good shape. And I've got a son who is 24-years-old, still doesn't have a filling in his mouth. New York's water is the world's champagne," said Camacho.

And bottled water? "It's a waste of money," said Camacho.

Ronald Salyk, Dental Director of the Morris Heights Health Center, agrees. "New York City tap water is actually one of the best waters," he said. "Most of the bottled water doesn't have fluoride, and fluoride is considered essential to preventing decay."

Salyk said for many of his patients, buying bottled water has become a status symbol -- one he believes is shortchanging their families' health.

"I use tap water myself, my children drink NYC tap water," he said.

Fluoride is a natural mineral, added to the city water supply at one part per million, which dental experts call a healthy and beneficial level. But can you get too much of this good thing?

"It's possible to have too much fluoride, there is condition called 'florosis.' It's not a health problem, it is a cosmetic issue," Salyk said.

Florosis is rare, and shows up when fluoride levels are triple the amount in city water.

If you are determined to drink bottled water, that doesn't mean you have to forgo the fluoride. According to the Bottled Water Association, 20 U.S. companies produce water with fluoride, including Poland Spring and Dannon. But these fluoride filled waters are often hard to find, so check with your grocer for availability.

And remember, even though the bottled water industry is regulated by the FDA, not all bottled water is created equal. Some is just bottled tap water from a different source. Be sure to do your research before choosing a brand.

Those who drink filtered tap water, need not to worry, they are filtering out the fluoride. Outside of New York City, the levels of fluoride in tap water vary, and some towns in the area don't supplement their water supplies with fluoride at all, so ask a local dentist if you are concerned.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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