Does fluoridation of drinking-water prevent bone fragility and osteoporosis?

Abstract

The incidence of femoral-neck fracture was compared in 2 Finnish towns of similar economic structure, Kuopio and Jyväskylä. Kuopio has fluoridated its drinking-water since 1959, whereas Jyväskylä has only trace amounts of fluoride in its drinking-water. The incidence of bone fragility (measured as femoral-neck fractures) was found to be significantly less in Kuopio than in Jyväskylä. This finding seems to be associated with a fluoride content of 1 mg/l in the drinking-water of Kuopio.