Health Fluoride: blessing or poison?

[Maciamo]

Fluoride plays an important role in protecting teeth against cavities. It's found in most toothpastes. But the reason it protects our teeth is that it is an extremely reactive element. It doesn't just destroy bacteria but also damages our own cells. Many studies have linked excessive levels of fluorides in drinking water with reduced IQ.

Interestingly the United States is one of the few developed countries where fluoride is added to tap water in the majority of municipalities in the country. 69% of Americans drink fluorinated tap water. In Europe Ireland is the only country where this practise is common. Only two other countries also add fluorine to the tap water in some regions, namely the UK (in Birmingham and Newcastle) and Spain (in the Basque country only). In spite of that Americans still have vastly more tooth decay then most Europeans. 92% of American adults have tooth decay against 28% of British people.

This video on the subject is really great.

As usual in the US there are huge variations between states and even municipalities. For example fluoride is added to 99.4% of tap water in Kentucky, but only to 13.6% of tap water in New Jersey.

As you can see there is also a lot of variations at the county level. Interestingly well the places like the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts tend to have much lower fluoride level in water.

 

[Maciamo]

Fluoride is present naturally in groundwater in some parts of the world although there is very little of it in Europe. Here are maps showing it's concentration on each continent.

 

[Hawk]

Any safer alternative in toothpaste for fluoride?

 

[ZZZZ1111]

There is a conspiracy theory behind this

 

[Duarte]

Asking ChatGPT:

Is there any risk in drinking fluoridated water?

Drinking fluoridated water is generally considered safe and effective for preventing tooth decay. The levels of fluoride used in public water supplies are carefully regulated to ensure safety. However, like many substances, fluoride can pose risks if consumed in excessive amounts.

Potential risks include:

1. Dental Fluorosis: This is a cosmetic condition where excessive fluoride exposure in children, while their teeth are still developing, can cause white spots or streaks on the teeth. This is usually mild and doesn’t affect tooth function.

2. Skeletal Fluorosis: In very rare cases, long-term exposure to extremely high levels of fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a condition that affects bones and joints. This is more common in areas where fluoride levels in the water are naturally very high.

3. Potential for Overexposure: In combination with other fluoride sources (toothpaste, mouth rinses), excessive intake is possible, though rare in areas with controlled water fluoridation.

The U.S. Public Health Service and the World Health Organization consider the fluoridation of water supplies at recommended levels (around 0.7 mg/L) to be safe. If you live in an area with fluoridated water, the fluoride level should be within these safe limits.

Is there any relationship between excessive levels of fluoride in water and reduced IQ?

Yes, there is some research suggesting a potential link between excessive fluoride exposure and reduced IQ, particularly in children. Several studies, particularly those conducted in regions with high natural fluoride levels (often well above recommended safe limits), have reported an association between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ scores in children.

Key points from the research:

1. High Fluoride Areas: The majority of studies linking fluoride and IQ come from regions where fluoride levels in water are much higher than the recommended levels used for water fluoridation (above 1.5 mg/L, and in some cases much higher). These high levels are typically found in areas with naturally occurring fluoride in the water, such as parts of China and India.

2. Meta-Analyses: A meta-analysis published by Harvard researchers in 2012 reviewed 27 studies and found that children in areas with high fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores compared to those in areas with lower fluoride levels. However, most of these studies were conducted in areas with much higher fluoride concentrations than those used in water fluoridation programs in countries like the U.S.

3. Limitations: Many of the studies showing a link between high fluoride and IQ have been criticized for methodological weaknesses, including a lack of control for other factors that could affect cognitive development, such as exposure to lead, poor nutrition, or socioeconomic differences.

4. Regulated Fluoridation: The levels of fluoride used in public water supplies in the U.S. and many other countries (around 0.7 mg/L) are significantly lower than the levels at which negative effects on IQ have been observed. Public health authorities, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maintain that fluoridation at recommended levels is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay.

In summary, while some studies suggest a link between high fluoride levels and reduced IQ, these findings are generally based on exposure to levels far above those used in regulated water fluoridation programs. At the levels used for water fluoridation in most countries, fluoride is considered safe. However, the topic continues to be an area of scientific study and debate.

 

[moonlitedr]

I'd rather have flouride than have my teeth rot. Dental health is very im I used flouride free toothpaste for about two years and it caused erosion and tooth aches that I've never experienced in my life. I also noticed I become constantly sick.

 

[Duarte]

Utah poised to become first state to ban fluoride in public water system