Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

Like many of you, I am a concerned parent who wishes only the best for my children and their health.

And like many parents, I am sure I can comfortably say I care more about their health than my own.

Water fluoridation is one issue I feel very strongly about.

In 1992, fluoride was taken out of Tauranga water supply after an overwhelming public vote against its use.

The same was done from 1986 in other areas around New Zealand, such as Kaitaia, Ashburton, Taumaranui and Timaru.

The question is, should the water have fluoride added to it at all, with just over half (54 per cent) of the country's territorial authorities opting to add fluoride to city water supply?

A New Zealand-wide study completed in 2016 shows there is no difference in levels of tooth decay for the majority of New Zealand children no matter what the fluoridation status.

In fact, the study shows a steady decline of tooth decay in children across the whole of New Zealand, as well as the rest of the world.

Fluoride has other negative effects that are far more damaging.

At a seminar with US Professor Connett which I attended, it was proven beyond doubt that fluoride in water effects children's IQ by lowering it by seven per cent to 10 per cent.

I would say the key to children's oral health would be to eat less lollies, drink less fizzy and brush those teeth twice per day.

The residue from sugar destroys tooth enamel. If not removed, the sugar decays the teeth at an alarming rate - something a study in Porirua Pasifika community has shown, even with their water being fluoridated.

New Zealand First policy is to have a local binding referendum to allow our communities to decide whether fluoride needs to be added to the water or not.

It doesn't work, and it's bad for you.

Fluoridation is like adding sunscreen to the public water supply to reduce skin cancer. Let's not do that, and instead look after our pearly whites and our health by brushing our teeth every day, consuming less sugary products and not adding unnecessary chemicals into our water supply.