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Fluoridated Water: Harms or Benefits?

The debate over fluoridated water remains a relevant topic in the field of natural health. In this article, we explore the actual effects of fluoridation on drinking water and its impact on health.

Fluoridated Water: Harms or Benefits

Although it has been widely accepted in public health, water fluoridation has been the subject of thorough study over the past quarter-century. Time has served to debunk the false illusion of fluoridation.

Fluoride, which was once promoted as the A "magic cure" for tooth decay has drawbacks that outweigh its dental benefits—if it even provides any, which is still up for debate.

Regardless of the scientific studies I examine or the population trends I observe, the only rational conclusion is that the health risks posed by fluoride far outweigh the marginal dental benefits that could grant. Science is very clear on the following:

  • This compound is a toxic industrial waste product that is poisonous to the body; it is not a «nutrient» at all and provides no benefit to the human body. Fluoride added to the water supply may be contaminated with lead, arsenic, radionuclides, aluminum, and other industrial contaminants. Furthermore, the fluoride added to municipal water supplies is not pharmaceutical grade.
  • Exposure to fluoride occurs through tap water, most toothpastes, and many antibiotics, including those administered to farm animals. Exposure levels vary, so it is impossible to accurately predict these variables for any individual, family, or community.
  • For many people, fluoride exposure could easily reach toxic levels. For example, you should call the poison control center if you ingest a quarter of a milligram of fluoride from toothpaste. Meanwhile, just ONE glass of water could contain that amount of fluoride.
  • Fluoride is a toxic substance that accumulates in the body and has been shown to cause serious and widespread health problems, such as damage to the skeletal, endocrine, and nervous systems.
  • Tooth decay can be prevented through means other than fluoridation, which would avoid its adverse effects.

Fluoride isn't just found in your drinking water

This compound is found to some extent in all natural waters. High concentrations may be present in groundwater, depending on a number of factors, such as the type of rocks and minerals in the region. Drinking water is the main source of fluoride, in addition to exposure from dental products. But you may not know that fluoride is also present in other unexpected sources:

  • Various types of vegetables and fruits, grains, taro, yams, cassava, meat, poultry, and fish (especially canned fish), milk, and tea; most natural foods have low levels of fluoride, but there are some exceptions.

For example, tea leaves tend to absorb fluoride from the soil; boneless meat and poultry may contain high levels 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, particularly in areas with high levels of industrial pollution from coal burning and phosphate fertilizer production; exposure to fluoride following volcanic eruptions may also be problematic, as was 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.
  • Nonstick pans emit a fluorinated gas when heated.

Summary of the Potential Hazards of Fluoride

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

Its neurological effects are also extremely disturbing. There are now 25 studies showing that fluoride is linked to lower IQ scores, even at levels as low as 0.3 to 3 parts per million—a range that overlaps with levels found in many communities in the United States (0.7 to 1.2 ppm).

Studies have shown that fluoride toxicity could cause a wide range of problems, such as those listed below.

Increased lead absorption Abnormalities in collagen synthesis Hyperactivity and/or lethargy Prevention of skeletal fluorosis and bone fractures
Genetic damage and cell death Increased incidence of tumors and cancer Disruption of the immune system Interruption in Antibody Production
Brain damage and a lower IQ Dementia Arthritis Serious eye problems, including blindness
Alteration of the thyroid function Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma) Inactivation of 62 enzymes Muscle Disorders

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay occurs due to the demineralization of the teeth (enamel and dentin) caused by acids formed during the bacterial fermentation of sugars in food.

Demineralization can be counteracted by the deposition of minerals from saliva, or remineralization, which is a slow process. Enthusiasts report that fluoride prevents tooth decay because it enhances mineralization.

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

  • Frequent consumption of refined sugar, sweetened sodas, and processed foods in general
  • Children who fall asleep while drinking a sweetened beverage or drink as much as they want throughout the day
  • Poor oral hygiene, and limited access to and use of dental health services, which is generally related to socioeconomic status
  • Deficiency of minerals, such as magnesium, which could weaken bones and teeth.
  • More than 600 medications contribute to tooth decay by inhibiting saliva production

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

At best, there is very little evidence to support the claim that dental caries is related to social class. The high consumption of sugar in the Western diet—particularly the fructose found in high-fructose corn syrup—contributes to tooth decay.

Can fluoride help prevent tooth decay?

Fluoride advocates often claim that the decline in tooth decay since the 1950s is a benefit of fluoridated water, but the facts simply do not support this.

For example, in 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that tooth decay had declined sharply during the second half of the 20th century. But what they failed to mention is that the rate of tooth decay «had declined sharply» in ALL Western nations, regardless of whether or not they practiced water fluoridation—and most of those countries did NOT!

The American Dental Association (ADA) has helped the CDC in its efforts to absolve itself of responsibility toward the public. For years, the ADA warned that if water fluoridation were to stop, rates of tooth decay would increase.

In fact, if fluoride were effective in preventing cavities, we would expect to see an increase in the number of cavities once fluoridation were discontinued. However, that is NOT what we have observed!

This issue has largely discredited the argument that water fluoridation provides any kind of benefit. The scientific studies should be as obvious to these government agencies as they are to us; yet they continue to deny and distort reality, under pressure from the powerful lobby groups that control the revenue of the «fluoride industry.».

If we analyze the trend in dental caries over time by comparing fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, it’s easy to understand why so many people are now opposed to fluoridation—myself included. For a long time, I have advised against the use of fluoride, as I believe there are much better options—safer ways to improve your family’s dental health.

What scientific studies should you be aware of?

The following demographic studies and trends regarding fluoridation show that this process has little to do with whether or not cavities develop.

In Japan, water fluoridation has been virtually nonexistent since the 1970s; however, rates of dental caries have declined since then—even though sugar consumption has increased.
In the city of Tiel, in the Netherlands, water fluoridation was suspended in 1973, and by 1993, rates of dental caries had declined.
In the city of Kuopio, Finland, water fluoridation was discontinued after 1992. By 1995 and 1998, the incidence of dental caries had either remained stable or decreased.
In two cities in former East Germany, the prevalence of dental caries decreased significantly over the next twenty years after water fluoridation was discontinued.1
In Cuba, water fluoridation was suspended in 1990, and by March 1997, dental caries showed a significant downward trend.
In Canada, «the prevalence of dental caries decreased over time in areas that had stopped fluoridation, unlike in fluoridated areas.».

Excess fluoride negates any potential benefits

Bill Osmunson is a full-time dentist with a master's degree in public health. According to Dr. Osmunson, some studies suggest that fluoride alone provides almost no dental benefits. However, when you consider the excessive amounts of fluoride ingested from multiple sources, any small benefit that might be gained is negated by its toxic effects.

Remember that fluoride is a cumulative toxin.

When authorities attempt to determine the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water, they calculate estimated water consumption based on temperature, humidity, geology, and the «average» health status of the people living in the area—factors that are so variable that any attempt to estimate them could amount to a wild guess.

How could the decision to «add» fluoride to the water be even remotely scientific? Dr. Osmunson points out:

«Is it appropriate to add a certain substance to the water when some people might drink less than one liter a day and others as much as 19 liters a day? That’s a huge difference in the amount of fluoride they’re exposed to. And what about other sources?

Once fluoride was recognized as an extraordinary additive, 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-coated pans… So, I started investigating just how high the exposure was. We’ve been exposed to higher amounts—two or three times as much—than when fluoridation first began.«.

At first, there were some compelling studies showing that fluoride strengthened teeth and made them more resistant to acids. However, when Dr. Osmunson delved deeper into the scientific studies, he discovered that the evidence supporting the use of fluoride wasn’t actually as strong as it seemed, and that it did not appear to significantly reduce tooth decay.

10 Key Steps to Avoid Fluoride

F.A.N. is one of the leading organizations working tirelessly to remove fluoride from the water supply. Dr. Paul Connett is one of Health Liberty’s partners, and we are deeply grateful to him and applaud all of his organization’s efforts. Below are Health Liberty’s excellent recommendations on how to reduce fluoride exposure.

Avoid drinking fluoridated water

On average, drinking tap water is the largest daily source of fluoride exposure for people living in areas where fluoride is added to the water. In the case of the babies, it is especially important to prevent them from drinking this type of water. If you live in an area with fluoridated water, you can avoid drinking it in the following three ways:

1.Water Filters. One way to avoid fluoridated tap water is to buy a water filter. However, not all filters remove fluoride. The three types of filters that can remove fluoride are reverse osmosis filters, deionizers (which use ion-exchange resins), and activated alumina filters. Each of these could remove approximately 90 % of the fluoride.

On the other hand, «activated carbon» filters (such as Brita and Pur) do not remove fluoride. Click here For more information about these water filters.

2.Spring water. Another way to avoid fluoride in tap water is to buy spring water. Most brands of spring water contain very low levels of fluoride.

However, some brands contain high levels of fluoride (for example, Trinity Springs). Therefore, before regularly consuming any bottled water, you should check that the fluoride content is less than 0.2 ppm—and ideally less than 0.1 ppm.

Click here to Find out the fluoride levels in some of the popular brands. You can also find out the levels by calling the number listed on the water container label. (Most companies provide this information.).

3.Water distillation. A third way to avoid fluoride in tap water is to purchase a distillation unit. Distilling water can remove most, if not all, of the fluoride.

The price of distillation units varies widely depending on their size. Small bar-style units cost as little as US$ 200, while large units can cost as much as US$ 1,000 or more.

 

If you're not sure whether your area has fluoridated water, you can find out by contacting your local water department. If you live in the United States, you can also find out by visiting the state fluoride database by FAN.
Don't let your children swallow fluoride toothpaste

Often, the fluoride toothpaste It is the main source of exposure in young children, and it is a significant risk factor for disfigurement due to dental fluorosis. This is because children swallow a large amount of the paste they put in their mouths.

In fact, the research Studies have shown that children typically ingest more fluoride from toothpaste alone than the amount recommended for daily intake from all sources.

Therefore, if you have a young child, we recommend that you use a toothpaste that does not contain this ingredient. However, if you use fluoride toothpaste, it’s very important to supervise your child while they brush to make sure they don’t use «more than a pea-sized amount» of toothpaste and that they rinse and spit it all out after finishing.

And finally, don't buy candy-flavored toothpaste (such as bubblegum or watermelon) because these toothpastes (which still contain fluoride concentrations at adult levels) increase the risk that their children consume them (and in fact, want swallow them).
DO NOT accept any fluoride gel treatment when you visit your dentist

Although dental researchers have repeatedly stated that fluoride gel treatment should ONLY be used in patients at higher risk for cavities, many dentists continue to apply fluoride gels regardless of their patients' risk of tooth decay.

The fluoride gel procedure requires the patient to bite down on a tray containing 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 treatment, which makes it very difficult (for both children and adults) to avoid swallowing the gel.

Even though dentists use precautionary measures, such as suction devices, children and adults ingest significant amounts of toothpaste, which can cause extremely high peak levels of fluoride in their blood (lasting 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, impaired glucose metabolism, and short-term kidney damage. Say NO to your dentist the next time they ask if you want fluoride gel treatment.
Eat fresher, less processed foods

When water is fluoridated, it's not just the water itself, but all beverages and foods made with it. Therefore, as a general rule, the more processed The more food there is, the more fluoride it will contain.

The good news is that most freshwater (such as spring water) and fresh foods (such as fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, and milk) contain natural fluoride, show very low levels.

Based on this information, replace processed foods with fresh foods as much as possible. Furthermore, since processed beverages (such as sodas, reconstituted juices, and sports drinks) contribute much more to fluoride intake than processed foods, the most important thing is to focus on reducing your consumption of processed beverages.

For more detailed information on how you can reduce your intake of fluoride from processed foods, see the FAN's Guide to Grocery Shopping: 7 Ways to Avoid Fluoride in Food and Beverages.
Buy organic wine and grape juice

In the United States, many vineyards use the pesticide with a fluoride called cryolite. As a result, fluoride levels in wine and grape juice (particularly white grape juice and white wine) are consistently high.

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 high (1 ppm), as were those in raisins (2.3 ppm).

If you buy wine and grape juice, or if you eat a lot of raisins, buy organic ones. When it comes to wine, if you don't want to spend extra money on organic products, consider buying a European brand, since much less cryolite is used in Europe than in the United States.
Drink less tea (and/or drink tea made from fresh leaves)

Be careful not to drink too much tea, especially when it comes in bottles or is instant. The tea plant accumulates high levels of fluoride, and it is known that consuming excessive amounts of tea 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 they also help protect you from fluoride toxicity.

Ideally, one would drink tea with high levels of antioxidants but low levels of fluoride. Recent research suggests that this could be a feasible goal. Currently, it has been shown that the levels of antioxidants in tea are much higher in the new leaves, than on the older leaves.

This is important because new leaves also have lower levels of fluoride. 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 the quality, and vice versa.

Therefore, if you like tea, try to buy varieties made from young leaves (for example, «white tea»). This will allow you to maximize the benefits and minimize the known harmful effects of tea.

To that end, avoid the bottled and instant teas, since they may have been made from low-quality leaves with very low levels of antioxidants. For this reason, drinking these types of tea poses a greater risk (fluoride) without providing any benefits (antioxidants).

Another option would be to drink yerba mate—a caffeinated herbal tea from South America that contains very low levels of fluoride (<0.2 ppm).
Avoid cooking with nonstick pans

Some studies have found that cooking with nonstick pans could significantly increase the fluoride content in food. If you use these pans, consider switching to ceramic or another type of pan that is safe.
Do not take Cipro, and be careful with other fluorinated pharmaceuticals

Many pharmaceutical products are found fluorinated, which means they contain something called a «carbon-fluoride bond.» Although this bond is strong enough to resist breakdown inside the body, this is not always the case.

It has been found that some fluorinated drugs are metabolized into fluoride in the body, which greatly increases a person's exposure. The most notable example is Cipro.

Some of the fluorinated chemicals currently known to break down into fluorides include fluorinated anesthetics (isoflurane and sevoflurane), niflumic acid, flecainide, and voriconazole. If you are taking any of these medications, find out if safer alternatives are available.
Eat less mechanically deboned chicken

Most meats that are processed into minced meat (such as chicken fingers or nuggets) are produced using mechanical deboning processes.

The mechanical deboning process It increases the amount of bone particles in the meat. Since bone is the main site where fluoride accumulates in the body, the presence of more bone particles in mechanically deboned meat means that fluoride levels are very high.

Of all mechanically deboned meats, chicken has been found to have the highest levels. Therefore, it is recommended to consume less mechanically deboned chicken.
Avoid fluoridated salt

If you live in a country where fluoridated salt is sold, make sure the salt you buy does not contain fluoride. Consuming it can significantly 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 tooth decay, then what measures can be implemented?

Many of the researchers who found lower rates of dental caries after discontinuing water fluoridation attributed this to fluoride-containing dental products (such as toothpaste) and fluoridated salt.

Apparently, many scholars find it hard to believe that good dental health could be achieved, in one way or another, without fluoride. The WHO even recommends fluoridated milk! In addition, researchers cite better dental hygiene, greater awareness of the importance of dental health, dental health plans, fissure sealants, and better nutrition as possible contributing factors.

To stay within «safe limits,» you should use such a small amount of fluoride toothpaste that a tube can last you several years. However, it's best to maintain a healthy diet and good oral hygiene.

It is generally believed that tooth decay is caused by acids in the mouth, which are usually produced when sugar is metabolized by bacteria (Streptococcus mutans). It is uncommon to find tooth decay in primitive societies that do not consume sugar.

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

«We need to educate the public, not administer fluoride. Providing information would have a twofold benefit: by avoiding high-fructose sugar, we would not only gain a significant advantage in preventing tooth decay, but also in combating obesity and improving health.«.

Dr. Osmunson also has some interesting insights into the causes of tooth decay. 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 levels of fluoride, this higher concentration of the mineral could be the real reason which explains why some people have lower rates of tooth decay.

Natural and Safe Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay

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

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