Fluoridated Water: Harms or Benefits

Despite being widely accepted in public health, water fluoridation has been the subject of meticulous study over the last quarter-century. Time has revealed the false illusion of fluoridation.

Fluoride, once promoted as the magic solution for dental cavities, has disadvantages that overshadow its dental benefits—if it provides any, which is still debatable.

Regardless of the scientific studies examined or the population trends observed, the only rational conclusion is that the health dangers posed by fluoride far outweigh the marginal dental benefits it might confer. Science is very clear on the following:

• This compound is a toxic industrial waste product, poisonous to the body, is not a “nutrient” at all, and provides no benefit to the human body. The fluoride added to the water supply could be contaminated with lead, arsenic, radionuclides, aluminum, and other industrial pollutants. Furthermore, the fluoride added to municipal water supplies is not pharmaceutical grade.
• Exposure to fluoride occurs through tap water, most toothpaste, and many antibiotics, including those administered to farm animals. There are various levels of exposure, making it impossible to predict these variables accurately in any individual, family, or community.
• For many, fluoride exposure could easily reach toxic levels. For example, you should call the poison control center if you consume a quarter of a milligram of fluoride from toothpaste. Meanwhile, just ONE glass of water could contain that amount of fluoride.
• Fluoride is a cumulative poison that has been shown to cause serious and extensive health problems, such as damage to the skeletal, endocrine, and brain systems.
• Dental cavities can be prevented through means other than fluoridation, which would avoid its adverse effects.

Fluoride is not only found in your drinking water

This compound is found to some degree in all natural waters. There may be a high concentration in groundwater, depending on a variety of factors such as the type of rocks and minerals in the region. Drinking water is the largest source of fluoride, which adds to the exposure from dental products. But you may not know that fluoride is also present in other unexpected mediums:

• Different types of vegetables and fruits, cereals, taro, yam, cassava, meat, poultry, and fish (especially canned fish), milk, and tea; most natural foods have lower levels of fluoride, but there are some exceptions.

For example, tea leaves tend to concentrate fluoride from the soil; boneless meat and poultry may have a high concentration of fluoride due to contamination from bone particles during processing.

• Processed foods and beverages such as sodas, juices, sports drinks, baby food, etc., are often high in fluoride.
• The air may be contaminated with fluoride, especially in areas with higher industrial pollution from coal burning and phosphate fertilizer production; exposure to fluoride could also be problematic after volcanic eruptions, as discovered in Southern Iceland.
• Pesticides and cryolite, this is a mineral that contains fluoride and is used as a pesticide in dozens of food products.
• Non-stick pots emit fluorinated gas when heated.

Summary of Possible Dangers of Fluoride

It is important to realize that fluoride is a cumulative toxin that over time can lead to more serious conditions than dental fluorosis (stains on teeth). Bone fluorosis caused by fluoride toxicity could be debilitating and even fatal.

Its neurological effects are also extremely concerning. Now, there are 25 studies showing that fluoride is associated with lower intelligence quotient, even at levels as low as 0.3 to 3 parts per million, which overlaps the range in many communities in the United States (0.7 to 1.2 ppm).

Studies have shown that fluoride toxicity could lead to widespread problems as listed below.

Increased lead absorption	Alteration in collagen synthesis	Hyperactivity and/or lethargy	Inhibition of skeletal fluorosis and bone fractures
Genetic damage and cell death	Increased tumor and cancer development	Alteration of the immune system	Disruption in antibody production
Brain damage and lower IQ	Dementia	Arthritis	Severe eye problems, including blindness
Alteration of thyroid function	Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)	Inactivation of 62 enzymes	Muscle disorders

What are the causes of dental cavities?

Dental cavities occur due to the demineralization of teeth (enamel and dentin) caused by acids formed during the bacterial fermentation of sugars in the diet.

Demineralization can be counteracted by the deposition of minerals from saliva, or remineralization, which is a slow process. Enthusiasts report that fluoride prevents dental cavities by enhancing mineralization.

However, dental cavities are not caused by a lack of fluoride, just as depression is not caused by a lack of Prozac. Some of the main causes of dental cavities cited in scientific studies are:

• Frequent consumption of refined sugar, sweetened sodas, and processed foods in general
• Children who sleep with a sweetened drink or drink as much as they want throughout the day
• Poor dental hygiene, and inadequate access to and use of dental health services, which is generally related to socioeconomic status
• Mineral deficiencies, such as magnesium, which could weaken bones and teeth.
• More than 600 medications promote dental cavities by inhibiting saliva

Excess sugar is by far the most crucial factor in the diet. The World Health Organization (WHO) and most dental experts agree on this fact.

At most, there is very little evidence to support that dental cavities depend on social class. The mass consumption of sugar in the Western diet, especially fructose in high fructose corn syrup, promotes dental cavities.

Can fluoride help prevent dental cavities?

Often, fluoride advocates claim that the decrease in dental cavities that has occurred since the 1950s is a benefit of fluoridated water, but the facts simply do not align.

For example, in 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that dental cavities had decreased sharply during the second half of the 20th century. But what they did not mention is that the rate of dental cavities “had decreased sharply” in ALL Western nations, regardless of whether or not fluoridation was applied—and most of those countries did NOT fluoridate!

The American Dental Association (ADA) has helped the CDC try to distance themselves from responsibility to the public. For years, the ADA warned that if water fluoridation stopped, cavity rates would increase.

In fact, if fluoride were effective in preventing cavities, an increase in dental cavity numbers would be expected upon stopping the fluoridation process. However, that is NOT what we have observed!

This issue has largely ridiculed the argument that water fluoridation provides any type of benefit. Scientific studies should be as obvious to these government agencies as they are to us; however, they continue to deny and distort reality under the coercion of powerful lobbying groups that control the revenues of the “fluoride industry.”

When we analyze the trend of dental cavities over time by comparing fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, it is easy to understand why many people are now against fluoridation—including myself. For a long time, I have discouraged the use of fluoride, as I believe there are many better options—safer ways to improve your family’s dental health.

What scientific studies should you know about?

The following demographic studies and fluoridation trends evidence that this process has little to do with developing or not developing cavities.

In Japan, fluoridation has been virtually non-existent since the 1970s; however, dental cavity rates have decreased since then—despite an increase in sugar consumption.

In the city of Tiel, Netherlands, water fluoridation was suspended in 1973, and by 1993, dental cavity rates had decreased.

In the city of Kuopio, Finland, water fluoridation stopped after 1992. In 1995 and 1998, dental cavity numbers had remained stable or decreased.

In two cities in former East Germany, the prevalence of dental cavities significantly decreased in the following twenty years after the fluoridation process was halted.1

In Cuba, water fluoridation was suspended in 1990, and by March 1997, dental cavities showed a significant downward trend.

In Canada, “the prevalence of cavities decreased over time in areas that had suspended fluoridation, unlike fluoridated areas.”

Excess fluoride negates any possible benefit

Bill Osmunson is a full-time dentist with a Master’s in Public Health. According to Dr. Osmunson, some studies suggest that fluoride alone provides almost no dental benefits. However, when considering the excessive amounts of fluoride ingested from multiple sources, any small benefit that might be obtained is negated by its toxic effects.

Remember, fluoride is a cumulative poison.

When authorities try to determine the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water, they estimate water consumption based on temperature, humidity, geology, and the “average” health status of people living in the area—factors that are so variable that any effort to estimate them could be a wild guess.

How could the decision to “dose” fluoride in water even be vaguely scientific? Dr. Osmunson points out:

“Is it right to introduce a substance into the water that some people might drink less than a liter a day and others up to 19 liters a day? That is a huge difference in the amount of fluoride to which they are exposed. And what is the situation regarding other sources?

Once fluoride was accepted as an extraordinary aid, it began to be used in toothpaste and, of course, in pesticides, cryolite, and post-harvest fumigants.

And also in dental fillings, topical dental treatments, fluoride varnishes in medical products, and Teflon pans… So, I began to investigate how great the exposure was. We have been exposed to higher amounts—two or three times more than when fluoridation began.”

Initially, there were some compelling studies showing that fluoride strengthened teeth and made them more capable of resisting acids. However, when Dr. Osmunson delved into the scientific studies, he found that there really wasn’t as solid evidence as it seemed to support the use of fluoride, and that it apparently did not significantly reduce dental cavities.

Top 10 Measures to Avoid Fluoride

F.A.N. is one of the most important organizations working hard to eliminate fluoride from the water supply. Dr. Paul Connett is one of the partners of Health Liberty whom we deeply appreciate and celebrate all the efforts of his organization. Below are the excellent recommendations from Health Liberty on how to reduce fluoride exposure.

Avoid drinking fluoridated water On average, tap water consumption is the largest daily source of fluoride exposure for people living in areas where it is added to the water. For babies, it is especially crucial to prevent them from consuming this type of water. If you live in an area where fluoridated water is supplied, you can avoid drinking it in the following three ways: 1.Water filters. One way to avoid fluoridated tap water is by purchasing a water filter. However, not all filters remove the compound. The three types of filters that can remove fluoride are reverse osmosis, deionizers (which use ion-exchange resins), and activated alumina. Each of them could remove approximately 90% of fluoride. On the other hand, “activated carbon” filters (e.g., Brita and Pur) do not remove fluoride. Click here for more information on these water filters. 2.Spring water. Another way to avoid fluoride from tap water is by purchasing spring water. Most brands of spring water contain very low levels of fluoride. However, some brands contain elevated levels (e.g., Trinity Springs). Therefore, before regularly consuming any bottled water, you should check that the fluoride content is below 0.2 ppm, ideally below 0.1 ppm. Click here to find out the fluoride level in some popular brands. You can also find out the levels by calling the number on the water bottle label. (Most companies have this information available). 3.Water distillation. A third way to avoid fluoride from tap water is by purchasing a distillation unit. Water distillation can remove most of the fluoride, if not all. The price of distillation units varies widely depending on their size. Small countertop units cost as little as $200, while larger units could cost over $1,000.   If you do not know whether fluoridated water is supplied in your area, you can find out by contacting your local water department. If you live in the United States, you can also find out by entering the state fluoride database of FAN.

Do not allow your children to swallow fluoride toothpaste Often, fluoride toothpaste is the main source of consumption in young children, and it is a significant risk factor for disfigurement from dental fluorosis. This is because children swallow a large amount of the toothpaste they put in their mouths. In fact, research has shown that it is common for children to swallow more fluoride from toothpaste alone than the amount recommended as daily intake from all sources. Therefore, if you have a young child, we recommend using a toothpaste that does not contain this compound. However, if you use fluoride toothpaste, it is very important to supervise your child while brushing to ensure they do not use “more than a pea-sized amount” and that they rinse and spit everything out after finishing. And finally, do not buy candy-flavored toothpaste (e.g., bubblegum and watermelon) as these toothpastes (which still contain fluoride concentrations at adult levels) increase the risk of your children consuming them (and indeed, wanting to swallow them).

DO NOT accept any fluoride gel treatment when visiting your dentist Although dental researchers have repeatedly stated that fluoride gel treatment should ONLY be used in patients at high risk of cavities, many dentists continue to apply fluoride gels regardless of their patients’ cavity risk. The fluoride gel procedure requires the patient to bite down on a tray with an extremely acidic and concentrated fluoride gel (12,300 ppm) for 4 minutes. Due to the high acidity of the fluoride gel, the salivary glands produce a large amount of saliva during the treatment, which greatly complicates (both in children and adults) avoiding swallowing the gel. Even when dentists use precautionary measures, such as suction devices, children and adults consume significant amounts of paste, which can lead to extremely high and elevated fluoride levels in the blood (for up to 15 hours). These fluoride levels put patients, especially children, at risk of stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as damage to the reproductive system, disruption in glucose metabolism, and short-term kidney damage. Say NO to your dentist the next time they ask if you want a fluoride gel treatment.

Eat fresher and less processed foods When the water is fluoridated, it is not just the water, but all beverages and foods made from it. Therefore, as a general rule, the more processed a food is, the more fluoride it will contain. The good news is that most fresh water (e.g., spring water) and fresh foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, milk) that contain natural fluoride have very low levels. Based on this data, change as much as you can from processed foods to fresh ones. Additionally, since processed beverages (e.g., sodas, reconstituted juices, sports drinks) contribute much more to fluoride consumption than processed foods, it is most important to focus on reducing processed beverages. For more detailed information on how you can consume less fluoride from processed foods, check out the FAN Grocery Shopping Guide: 7 Ways to Avoid Fluoride in Foods and Beverages.

Buy organic wine and grape juice In the United States, many vineyards use the fluoride pesticide called cryolite. As a result, fluoride levels in wine and grape juice (particularly white grape juice and white wine) are consistently elevated. In fact, in 2005, the USDA reported that the average fluoride level exceeded 2 ppm in both white wine and white grapes. Fluoride levels in red wine were also elevated (1 ppm), as well as in raisins (2.3 ppm). If you buy wine and grape juice, or if you consume a lot of raisins, buy them organic. In the case of wine, if you do not want to spend extra money on organic products, consider buying a European brand, as much less cryolite is used in Europe than in the United States.

Consume less tea (and/or drink tea made from new leaves) Be careful not to drink too much tea, especially when it is bottled or instant. The tea plant accumulates high levels of fluoride, and it is known that excessive tea consumption causes a painful bone disease called skeletal fluorosis. However, some types of tea contain high levels of health-promoting antioxidants. Antioxidants are not only good for promoting overall health but also help protect you from fluoride toxicity. Ideally, one would drink tea with high antioxidant levels but low fluoride levels. Recent research suggests that this could be a feasible goal. Currently, it has been shown that the antioxidant levels in tea are much higher in new leaves than in older leaves. This is important because new leaves also have lower fluoride levels. In fact, it has been suggested that the fluoride content of tea is an indicator of its quality; that is, the higher the fluoride content, the lower its quality, and vice versa. Therefore, if you enjoy tea, try to buy varieties made from new leaves (e.g., “white tea”). This will allow you to maximize the benefits and reduce the known harms of tea. To that end, avoid bottled and instant tea types, as they may have been made from low-quality leaves that have very low antioxidant levels. Thus, consuming these types of tea poses a higher risk (fluoride) without achieving their benefits (antioxidants). Another option would be to drink yerba mate—a South American herbal tea with caffeine that contains very low fluoride levels (<0.2 ppm).

Avoid cooking with non-stick pans Some research has found that cooking with non-stick pans could significantly increase the fluoride content in foods. If you use these pans, consider using ceramic or another type of safe pan instead.

Do not take Cipro and be cautious with other fluorinated pharmaceuticals Many pharmaceuticals are fluorinated, meaning they contain something called a “carbon-fluorine bond.” Although this bond is strong enough to resist breakdown within the body, this is not always the case. It has been found that some fluorinated medications are metabolized into fluoride within the body, greatly increasing a person’s exposure. The most notable example is Cipro. Some of the fluorinated chemicals currently known to degrade into fluorides are fluorinated anesthetics (isoflurane and sevoflurane), niflumic acid, flecainide, and voriconazole. If you take any of these medications, research whether safer alternatives are available.

Consume less mechanically deboned chicken Most meats that are turned into pulp (e.g., chicken fingers or nuggets) are made through mechanical deboning processes. The mechanical deboning process increases the amount of bone particles in the meat. Since bone is the primary part where fluoride accumulates in the body, having more bone particles in mechanically deboned meat means there are very high levels of fluoride. Of all mechanically deboned meats, chicken has been found to have the highest levels. Therefore, it is advisable to consume less mechanically deboned chicken.

Avoid fluoridated salt If you live in a country that allows the sale of fluoridated salt, make sure that the salt you buy does not contain fluoride. Consuming it can greatly increase your exposure. Click here to see a list of countries that allow fluoridated salt. (From the website: www.fluoridealert.org)

If water fluoridation does not prevent dental cavities, then what measures can you implement?

Many researchers who found lower rates of dental cavities after suspending water fluoridation attributed it to fluoridated dental products (like toothpaste) and fluoridated salt.

Apparently, many scholars are unable to believe that one could enjoy good dental health, in one way or another, independent of fluoride. In fact, the WHO even recommends fluoridated milk! Furthermore, researchers attribute possible factors to better dental hygiene, greater awareness of the importance of dental health, dental health plans, sealants, and better nutrition.

To stay within “safe limits,” you should use such a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste that the tube could last you several years. However, it is ideal to maintain a proper diet and good dental hygiene.

In general, it is believed that dental cavities are caused by oral acids, which are usually produced when sugar is metabolized by bacteria (Streptococcus mutans). It is uncommon to find dental cavities in primitive societies that do not consume sugars.

Environmental chemist and anti-fluoridation activist Dr. Paul Connett agrees that sugar is a serious problem, and he states:

“We need to inform the population, not administer fluoride. Providing information would have a double benefit, as by avoiding high fructose sugar, we would not only gain a significant advantage against dental cavities but also against obesity and health.”

Additionally, Dr. Osmunson has some interesting ideas about the causes of dental cavities. He explains how historical studies on fluoridation have shown that natural fluoride is also present in areas with high levels of calcium and other minerals.

Unlike high fluoride levels, this higher mineral content could be the true reason why some people have lower levels of dental cavities.

Natural and Safe Measures to Prevent Dental Cavities

The evidence supporting fluoridation is based on misused and misinterpreted data. Fluoridation is an ineffective method and may not provide any benefit for your teeth, not to mention that it could jeopardize your overall health. Here are my basic guidelines for optimizing your dental health, safely and naturally:

• Avoid fluoridated water and toothpaste
• Minimize your consumption of sugar and sugary cereals, consume less than 25 grams of fructose daily, and avoid processed foods
• Ensure you maintain a diet that includes fresh, whole foods, as well as fermented vegetables and meat from grass-fed animals (organic), which will ensure you obtain many of the minerals that are so important for strong bones and teeth
• Maintain good oral hygiene, visit a biological dentist who does not use mercury for regular cleanings
• Consider practicing oil pulling with coconut oil, which is a powerful inhibitor of a wide variety of pathogenic organisms
• Sources and References
  • ¹ Organic Consumers Association
  • ² Animated-teeth
  • ³ Weston Price Foundation September 23, 2010
  • ⁴ Science Daily May 29, 2000
  • ⁵ WHO 2006
  • ⁶ British Dental Journal May 11, 2002
  • ⁷ Fluoride Action Network
  • ⁸ Eur J Oral Sci August 1996
  • ⁹ Caries Research 1993
  • ¹⁰ Caries Research 2000
  • ¹¹ Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology October 2000
  • ¹² Caries Research 2000
  • ¹³ Fluoride Alert