What’s in Your Water and Toothpaste?

Fluoride is famous as an additive to your favorite toothpaste brand, mouthwash, and your local water supply. Using fluoride have been made popular as a way to combat tooth decay, but recently, it is doing more damage than good. Way back in the 40’s, studies have been made on the effectiveness of fluoride in fighting cavities and most of the reports were based on dubious facts, which is now being debated upon. Data are like missing pieces of puzzle and there is just no solid evidence that fluoride had been truly effective in fighting tooth decay for good.

It is amazing to find that a group of children in New Zealand who had not been exposed to fluoridated water have better teeth than those who did. Studies are still needed to be conducted in the overall effect of fluoride not only in one’s teeth, but also to one’s health in the long run. Concerns had been growing over the use of fluoride in water, specially those in the Eastern states in the US. One of the most renowned dilemma concerning fluoride is Dental Fluorosis, where the tooth enamel suffer damages from chalky blotching to rust-colored surfaces, with pitting and tooth brittleness. Then, the issue of toxicity is another cause for serious concern.

When 97 percent of countries in Europe are using non-fluoridated water, why can’t the same thing happen in the United States as a respect for an individual to choose fluoridated water or not? Many key countries in Europe like Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg have rejected the idea of water fluoridation for the simple fact that they don’t find it medically beneficial to their people. In the year 2006, the American Dental Association or ADA don’t recommend using fluoridated water for babies due to high risk of acquiring dental fluorosis which can be permanent.

Your teeth should not be the only cause for alarm on matters concerning Fluoride. You must know that Fluoride poses a serious risk to:

1. The Brain – which can affect children’s mental and cognitive abilities
2. The Thyroid Gland – since fluoride is an endocrine disruptor, it decreases the function of the thyroid among people with low levels of iodine; this can also lead to depression and weight gain
3. The Bones – which increases a person’s risk to bone fracture and bone cancer like Osteosarcoma
4. The Kidneys – where those who have kidney trouble will find it hard to wash away fluoride from their system

One must know that fluoridated water may also come with the risk of lead toxin from leaching or busted water pipes, which can truly raise blood lead levels in a person’s body. This has an adverse effect in children, where learning and cognitive abilities may be impaired due to FSA or Fluorosilicic acid. What’s truly sad is that fluoridated water and all those tooth products flaunting fluoride in their ingredients are so cheap that they’re available for every low income household. The word fluoride and toxin are unbreakable, where one goes with the other. You may spend more on safer, natural fluoride alternatives in keeping your teeth healthy like your good old peppermint, almond, or spearmint oil. But the extra bucks will be worth all those troubles that a permanent teeth damage may bring. Weigh Your Healthier Options!

The Dangers Of Fluoride: