Onieda Water Won’t Taste Like Toothpaste

The City of Oneida will not be adding fluoride to their water so it won't be tasting like Crest or Colgate toothpaste.

The City of Oneida will not be adding fluoride to their water so it won't taste like Crest or Colgate.The common council voted 5 to 1 not to add fluoride to the city's water. Some residents are dissatisfied with this decision. One of those individuals is dentist Dr. Samuel Barr.

He said adding fluoride would lower dental costs and oral health problems locally. "I make my living treating disease, but part of of my job is also to prevent it," he said. "The most effective way that I could possibly prevent dental disease is to have fluoride in the water. I treat a lot of children with cavities some of these kids are in pain; if there was fluoride in the water I would be doing 30 percent less of it.

Still, others were completely happy with the council's decision because they believe fluoride is harmful.

"I've done some research encyclopedias, medical dictionaries, books," she said. "It's a poison and for a few people to say 'you got to do it, you got to do it,'" she said. "Hey it's a poison, where's my rights. I'm an American citizen can't I speak up for what I believe?"

Do you remember having to take fluoride treatments when you were a kid? My classmates and I used to have to make monthly trips to the nurse’s office so we could gargle with a harsh tasting liquid. At first it tasted sweet, but that aftertaste was awful! We had to swish it for a minute or so, and then we spit it out. I use to dread having to take the long walk from my class room to the nurse’s station.

The last time I went to the dentist, the assistant asked me if I wanted to try bubble gum flavored toothpaste. At last, I felt five again!  I wondered to myself, "If I say yes, do I get a free tooth brush?" Needless to say, I decided to stick with the traditional mint flavored paste.But.... I still got a free tube of toothpaste and a sticker book! Just Jen and I chatted about this today!