Is Fluoride Safe?

The controversy about fluoride is heating up! In November of 2006 the American Dental Association sent out an e-mail to its members stating that fluoridated water should not be given to babies under one year of age.

The e-mail, from the biggest advocate of fluoridation, suggested that parents of children younger than one year "should consider using water that has no or low levels of fluoride."

The issue is around fluoridated water. Many larger cities add fluoride to the water system, supposedly to add a preventative against tooth decay. However, babies, especially those on formula may get a higher percentage of fluoride for their body weight.

Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, a condition that damages enamel of teeth. Milder cases cause white speckling or streaks in the teeth but the more severe cases involve dark staining and pitting of the tooth enamel. This pitting can increase the risk of infection and decay.

The controversy over fluoridated water is not a new one. Proponents believe that because fluoride occurs naturally and helps maintain strong bones and teeth, adding it to our water supply is one of the most important health advances in history. Opponents have a different view. They believe that our individual choice has been taken away and that the safety of adding fluoride to the water spply is questionable. According to Dr. Robert Carton, former scientist at the EPA, "Fluoride is somewhat less toxic than arsenic and more toxic than lead, and you wouldn't want either of them in your mouth."

Too much fluoride has been linked to several health problems: osteoporosis, arthriitis, osteomalacia, and Alzheimer's disease. The National Cancer Institute Toxicological Program found that fluoride is a carcinogen and can contribute to more than 150 symptoms and is linked to hypothyroidism (fluoride competes with iodine).

The controversy has stimulated many cities around the world to veto fluoridation of the water supply. Click here to see if your city is one of them. If you want to remove the fluoride from your water use a reverse osmosis or distillation system.