Of course there are times when a wisdom tooth needs to be removed: infection, some impacted ones (some impacts are benign) or other significant problems. Although more research is needed to show what happens to wisdom teeth later in life, one of the researchers said that so many wisdom teeth have been removed over the years it's difficult to even find older adults to study this subject.

Sugar, corn syrup, artificial and natural flavoring, actuated partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil (Retsyn), magnesium stearate, copper gluconate, and artificial colors (including FD&C yellow no. 5). These are the ingredients in the common breath mint Certs3 .

Opponents of fluoridation of drinking water, who began their protests in the 1940's, now have a new weapon to help wage their battle. In 1977 Congress ordered the National Toxicology Program (NTP) to determine whether fluoride causes cancer. This order was the result of a 13 year study which showed as many as 10,000 cancer deaths per year in the U.S. were caused by fluoridated water. The preliminary results of the new study, performed on rats, show similar findings. Specifically, it was found that test animals who drank fluoridated water developed osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

A panel of 13 independent scientists, in a "peer review" of the findings, endorsed the results. They added that a more comprehensive study should now follow. Some proponents of fluoridation threatened the scientists with legal action because of the wording of the report.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. But this new evidence may, even for many fluoride proponents, demonstrate the potential benefits could be overshadowed by the hazards. Also, the tooth decay problem can be attacked by other conservative methods.