Do You Need Fluoride in Drinking Water?

In a bid to reduce dental cavities in Grand Rapids, Michigan, public health researchers and government officials began adding fluoride to public drinking water in 1945. By drinking fluoridated water, people experienced a 75 percent decrease in tooth decay and cavities; therefore, it’s no surprise that fluoride has been endorsed by both the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization. Today, more than 60 percent of Americans receive fluoridated tap water. Many people, including those in the medical field, believe that the fluoridation of our water supply is beneficial to us. A spokesperson for the American Dental Association once said that every dollar invested in water fluoridation by a community can save $38 in dental expenses. Because recent studies, though not comprehensive, have shown that fluoride does have its fair share of side effects, the question is how does fluoridation benefit us? Since April 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required all toothpaste manufacturers to include a label that states, “Warning: Keep out of the reach of children under six years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.” While the label caused widespread panic for parents across the country, the American Dental Association was concerned that excessive fluoride ingestion would lead to fluorosis. While it does not affect the health of the teeth, fluorosis could lead to teeth discoloration and malformation. In order to protect young children from fluorosis, they should drink fluoride-free water. Excessive amounts of fluoride could also lead to skeletal fluorosis. The bone disease could result in pain and damage to bones and joints. Some recent studies even suggested that fluoride could be toxic to the brain. In a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, fluoride is listed as a neurotoxin that could potentially impair children’s development. While these studies are only in its beginning stages, it is a crucial first step in assessing the potential health risk of ingesting fluoride. You can easily filter out fluoride, along with other harmful chemicals, with our Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station With eight different cartridge options available, this advanced system is certified to remove more contaminants than any other of its competitors. You can enjoy the benefits of clean, filtered water by giving us a call at 408 371 5521 to set up a free onsite water consultation.   Studies used in article: Dana Canedy, “Toothpaste a Hazard? Just Ask the F.D.A.” The New York Times, 1998, https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/24/us/toothpaste-a-hazard-just-ask-the-fda.html Ocean Robbins, “Is Fluoride Bad for you? Or is adding fluoride to water a good thing?” Food Revolution Network, 2018, https://foodrevolution.org/blog/fluoride-in-water-dangers/ Philippe Grandjean, Phillip J Landrigan, “Neurobehavioral effects of developmental toxicity,” NCBI, 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418502/