The Shocking Truth About Your Fluoridated Water

For decades, people have come to believe that the fluoride added into their water supplies has been protecting them from tooth decay. What most of them do not know is that at the same time, fluorine compounds (including fluoride) are being listed by many authorities (including the US Environmental Protection Agency [1]) as harmful substances when it comes to human health.

So is fluoride actually good or bad for our health?

Naturally occurring calcium fluoride

Fluoride is found in nature in the form of calcium fluoride. This compound is found naturally in soil, plants, and natural water bodies like rivers and the sea. And our bodies require only a few milligrams of this trace element per day, mainly for the health of our bones and teeth. [2, 3]

The problem with form and quantity

While naturally calcium fluoride is not toxic, this form of fluoride is not usually what is being used in water supplies. Instead, other forms like fluorosilicic acid (or hydrofluorosilicic acid), sodium fluoride, or sodium fluorosilicate are usually used. The latter forms usually bind to proteins in the body and are poorly absorbed. [2]

And unknown to the masses, fluoride overdose can kill. That is why toothpastes often come with a warning to be kept away from young children. [2, 3]

Fluoride at concentrations of 4 ppm is actually considered unsafe and damaging to teeth [2]. While it is sometimes argued that only about 1 ppm of fluoride is added to water supplies, however, there is the issue of individual daily intake levels and body size.

At 1 mg/L [2], fluoridation can cause dental fluorosis, a process whereby fluoride weakens and damages the tooth enamel [4]. And this is especially the case for growing teeth. This means that the teeth of our young children, who have smaller body masses but take in the same concentration of fluoride in water as the adults, are especially vulnerable.

Besides the fluoride in fluoridated water supplies, individuals today are also exposed to other sources of the chemical, for example dental products (eg. toothpaste, sealants), medicines (e.g. many antidepressants, some antibiotics and asthma drugs), some vitamins, some bottled water, non-stick aluminum cookware and tobacco smoke. [2]

Fluoride is also found in abundance in seafood and shellfish, kelp and tea, as sea water has higher levels of fluoride. Juices (especially grape juice), beer and canned beverages often also contain high levels of fluoride. [2]

Considering that the body needs only minute amounts of this trace element, it is extremely rare to be deficient in fluoride [2]. On the contrary, the problem with excess fluoride is possibly more rampant.

Pages: 1 2 3