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Fluoride - NO THANK YOU! by Nancy Paek

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FLUORIDE  The United States has been adding fluoride to the public water supply as early as the 1940s.  It was thought that adding fluoride to drinking water would help lower the rate of tooth decay.  Other countries quickly followed suit.  In 2000, about 162 million Americans were drinking water that had fluoride artificially added.

Over the years, the toxic side effects of fluoride have become more apparent, and numerous countries have stopped artificially adding fluoride to their drinking water.  More than 97% of western European countries have ceased this practice.  Some countries have made fluoridated salt available, so that people who want to ingest fluoride still have the option.  However, they have stopped forcing millions of people to ingest fluoride through their drinking water.

WHY SHOULD WE STOP ADDING FLUORIDE TO WATER?

  • Fluoride has a laundry list of possible side effects, such as:
    • Permanent brown stains on teeth
    • Damage to chromosomes
    • Increased risk of hip fractures in the elderly
    • Inhibition of enzymes in the body
    • Possible association with cancer
    • Damage to both male and female reproductive systems
    • Interaction with melatonin, which can disrupt sleep cycles
    • Changes in thyroid function
    • Association with elevated blood lead levels
  • Fluoride provides no benefit when ingested.  The CDC states that the benefit of fluoride is mainly topical.   Thus, there is no reason for anyone to ingest fluoride, especially since fluoride is not an essential nutrient. 
  • Studies have shown little difference in rates of tooth decay between communities with non-fluoridated water and fluoridated water.
  • Fluoride is excreted from the body through the kidneys.  However, our kidneys cannot excrete all of the fluoride we ingest; on average, they only excrete about 50% of fluoride we ingest.  The rest is stored in our bones and other tissues.  If our kidneys become damaged, then they can excrete even less fluoride.
  • Studies were performed on rats who were given water with 1 part per million of fluoride.  The rats showed structural changes to their kidneys and their brains. 

ALTERNATIVES TO FLUORIDE  There are safer alternatives than fluoridated water when it comes to protecting your teeth.  One possible option is Xylitol, which is a naturally occurring sugar that can be found in berries, plums, and mushrooms.  It helps prevent dental caries in two different ways.  First, it is structurally slightly different than other sugars such as glucose and fructose, so bacteria in your mouth cannot use it to produce the acid that causes dental caries.  Secondly, it helps your mouth produce less acidic saliva, which causes less damage to enamel. 

Xylitol is available in different forms, such as a mouthwash, pastilles, and chewing gum.  Xylitol should be at least 50% of the total sweetener in the product.  It is recommended that you chew the gum after every meal or snack for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.  It should be used regularly on a long-term basis for the maximum benefit. 

A second alternative is tooth soap.  It is a natural alternative to toothpaste that contains no fluoride.  It contains saponified olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, water, and essential oils.  It has no abrasives that can harm your teeth. 

REFERENCES

  1. Null, Gary and Feldman, Martin.  Stop fluoridation now: new research on fluoride’s brain and thyroid toxicity.  Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.  April 2005;261:56-61.

  2. www.fluoridealert.org.  Date accessed:  January 24, 2008.

  3. www.wholywater.com/fluoride.html.  Date accessed: January 24, 2008.

  4. www.fluoridation.com/c-country.htm.  Date accessed: January 24, 2008.

Also see Not Your Friend