Aside from being the thing we need to clean our teeth, fluoride is actually a mineral found in water and food. It’s a valuable thing all around, especially when it comes to dental health. In fact, several studies concur that it strengthens bone density as well as protects teeth from decay. This is why it is added to a lot of oral health products like toothpaste and mouthwash. After all, it protects the teeth by hardening the enamel. Moreover, it is added to public water supplies.
Most of the fluoride used to fluoridate water is extracted from phosphate rock. Once it is extracted, what remains of the phosphate rock is used to create fertilizers. Conspiracy theorists use this fact a lot and twist it to suit their needs, thereby creating the false impression that fluoride comes from fertilizer.
There are a lot of myths regarding fluoride, especially with regards to being added to public water supplies. Misinformation, after all, has a way of spreading far and wide with the use of the internet. It’s only fair to spread the correct information to counter such dissemination, as well. This is why in this article, we are going to try and separate the myths from the facts about the mineral fluoride.
MYTHS
Adding fluoride to the drinking water causes people to develop fluorosis
Fluorosis is a disease that results from fluoride deposition in the hard and soft tissues of the body. It occurs due to the excess intake of fluoride through drinking water, food products, and industrial pollutants over time. It affects the teeth and bones and causes major health disorders like dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and non-skeletal fluorosis. Dental fluorosis discolors and disfigures the teeth. On the other hand, Skeletal fluorosis results in severe pain, rigidity or stiffness in joints, and even disability in severe cases.
However, the amount of fluoride that is added to drinking water is too low to cause this disease. Exposure and ingestion of fluoride have to be consistent very high for fluorosis to develop.
Fluoride is dangerous for children
Fluoride is not considered a danger to children. In fact, drinking fluoridated water helps to strengthen their teeth as they grow. It also helps prevent future tooth decay and loss. However, we must point out that the use of fluoride toothpaste is only recommended for older kids and adults who have fully developed spit and swallow reflexes. Fluoride is in a much higher concentration in toothpaste than in fluoridated water. As we know, toothpaste is not supposed to be ingested, and children sometimes can’t help themselves from swallowing. This is why there are several non-fluoride toothpaste options on the market for kids.
It is expensive for communities to fluoridate water
The dental benefits of water fluoridation are evident based on statistics. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) posited that public water fluoridation is the most cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to the population. It is generally considered as one of the less expensive ways to prevent tooth decay as it is far cheaper than treating dental health problems. According to evidence gathered in most fluoridated cities, every $1 invested in fluoridation saves an average of $38 in costs to treat dental health problems.
Ingesting fluoride can cause cancer and other diseases
Over the years, there have been a lot of studies and researches with regards to the correlation of fluoride addition to drinking water and the development of osteosarcoma, a rare type of cancer. However, what all these studies have in common is that there is no strong evidence of a link between water fluoridation and cancer. The addition of fluoride does not increase the risk of cancer or other serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or even autism. In fact, it is considered safe by both the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Fluoride is a medication that is forced on communities
It is a known fact that fluoride is a mineral. While a lot of conspiracy theorists say that it is medication forced on the general population, the fact remains that fluoridated water is not medicine. It’s more of a nutrient instead of a drug.
Fluoride is artificial
While several people spread misinformation about how fluoride is a manufactured drug, it does not successfully discount the fact that certain fluoride levels can be found naturally in water and other sources. In fact, in 2011, federal health officials recommended a new level of fluoride for water: 0.7 parts per million. Fluoridation only increases the level of fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
FACTS
Fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay
Numerous studies conducted all over the world have shown that fluoridation does help reduce tooth decay among both adults and children. In fact, it has been the basis of adding fluoride to drinking water. Several health and research organizations believe that it is more fruitful to prevent dental problems rather than treat them. It is also a lot cheaper. Furthermore, the even CDC recognizes the effectiveness of fluoridation in preventing tooth decay. They even cited fluoridated drinking water as one of the “10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” A 2007 review of studies also found that fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay among adults of all ages by as much as 27%.
Fluoridation occurs all over the world
There are about 372 million people who have access to fluoridated water. This equates to around 24 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Republic of Ireland, Malaysia, the U.S., and Vietnam. Salt fluoridation is the most common method used in Europe and Latin America.
Fluoridated water works hand in hand with the fluoride in toothpaste
The truth is, the amount of fluoride in toothpaste alone is not enough protection against tooth decay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoridated water and toothpaste work hand in hand to combat dental health problems and to provide maximum protection to the population.