Fluoridation of water has long been controversial, and now the government is suggesting lower levels because of potential problems for your kids. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says some kids are showing splotches on their teeth because of too much fluoride, but a local dentist says he's rarely seen the problem in western Wisconsin.

Dr. Neal Benham says he always uses a topical fluoride on the kids he sees at his dentist office, because many don't get enough. “We notice the kids where the fluoride is not present in the water have a considerably larger amount of decay than the kids that have fluoride in their water, so there are two distinct populations in our area,” he says.

The U.S. Department of Health says it's now recommending fluoride regulations to be lowered to 0.7 parts per million, because a study shows two out of five kids have splotches on their teeth from too much fluoride.

“Very seldom do I see that,” says Dr. Benham, referring to the white splotches. “In fact, most of the time I would much rather see a little bit of splotching on their teeth and no decay than see a lot of decay and no splotching.”

Craig Capper with the City of Eau Claire says the water department uses 1 part per million of fluoride in its water currently. He and Benham say that level has seemed to have a positive effect.

“I think the 1 part per million is what we usually use as a baseline and it seems to work for most kids,” says Dr. Benham.

Benham says it's important to realize kids do need fluoride to make healthier smiles, especially if their tap water doesn't have it. “Fluoride is a good thing if it's used in the proper way, just like any other medication,” says Dr. Benham.

We spoke to Menomonie’s public works director today, too. He says his city uses 1 part per million of fluoride, the same as Eau Claire. Both cities say they're willing to change if the government says they must.

Dr. Benham says most of the rural areas in western Wisconsin don't have fluoride in their water, and he says he sees more severe decay from patients in those areas.