Fluoride is a common compound that is added to several toothpastes. It helps to prevent tooth decay and strengthens the bones. However, when consumed in excess amount especially through water it can have a detrimental effect on your health. In this article, learn how fluoride can impact your health:
What is Fluoride?
The negative ion of fluorine, it is widely found in nature including air, soil, rocks, water, and certain foods. It plays an important role in the mineralization of your teeth and helps them to keep hard and strong. 99% of the fluoride in the body is stored in bones and teeth. That’s why it is at times added to the groundwater claiming that it has several health benefits.
Fluoride Helps Prevent Tooth Decay
The fluoride in the teeth enhances the process of remineralization, accelerating the repair process. It also inhibits bacterial activity and deters its growth by producing acid. When applied directly to the teeth it has several benefits. However, when swallowed or consumed in excess quantities it can be dangerous. That’s why many kid’s toothpastes don’t contain fluoride since children tend to swallow it.
Effect of Excess Fluorides on your Health
Excessive intake of fluoride in the form of fluoridated water is not good. Too much consumption can lead to a condition called dental fluorosis with weakened teeth. It can also cause skeletal fluorosis that leads to joint pain and stiffness. This condition is primarily associated with prolonged consumption of groundwater that is naturally high in fluoride (more than 8 ppm) especially in India and China.
Apart from this, there are several claims on its effect on certain ailments including bone fractures, osteosarcoma or bone cancer, impaired brain development, insulin resistance and more. It is also said to interfere with the thyroid gland function leading to hypothyroidism. Increased fluoride consumption is also associated with an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen hormones. Especially vulnerable is male population as excess fluoride leads to disruption of sperm health.
Adding Fluoride to Water is Controversial
Water fluoridation was started in the USA way back in the 1940s. This was because several health organizations supported water fluoridation as a cost-effective means to prevent dental cavities. However, clear-cut research and studies are needed to prove its effectiveness.
How to Reduce your Exposure to Fluoride?
Even without fluoridation, the natural levels of fluoride in community groundwater can be higher than 4mg/L. The Institute of Medicine recommends that fluoride should be taken within the range of 0.5 mg to 4 mg per day depending on the age.
For people concerned with fluoride intake, here are ways you can reduce your exposure:
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Have Children Brush with Fluoride-free toothpaste
Young children should not ingest fluoride from their toothpaste and accumulate it in their body. So ensure to buy a fluoride-free toothpaste or consider toothpaste that has minimal levels of it.
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Know the Fluoride Levels in your Drinking Water
If your drinking water comes from a public source, find out about the fluoride levels from your local community water system. If it comes from a private source like wells, have the fluoride levels tested by a laboratory.
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Use Alternate Sources of Drinking Water
You can opt for bottled water derived from natural spring waters. Spring waters tend to have the least levels of fluoride and contact the bottler company to find about the fluoride levels. You can also use filtered water like RO water purifier that helps to remove fluoride and other harmful impurities in the water.
Fluoride appears to be safe when used and consumed in appropriate amounts. It helps to prevent dental cavities, but ingesting it in large amounts in drinking water can cause health hazards. Be aware of this and take the right measures to reduce your exposure to fluoride.
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