Fluoride in Water

The Importance of Water.

Water seems to be a topic of interest these days. I always discuss the importance of water with my patients, as having an adequate amount of it is seriously important to our health.

Water is important for many things such as:
1) Hydration
2) Every biochemical reaction in the body
3) Metabolism
4) Kidney and bladder health
5) Detoxification-the removal of toxins
6) Assimilation of nutrients from diet and supplements.
7) Digestive Function

And the list goes on...

Fluoridation of Water?
Despite water being such an important nutrient in our lives, the quality of water running from our taps is in question. It is regular practice to include chemicals into the water supply for sanitation and other purposes. Lets take fluoride for example. Apparently, every major US city has fluoridated their water supply except Portland, OR where it is currently under consideration via the public vote. This absence of fluoride in the water has long been suspected the reason for excess tooth decay and poor dental health. Interestingly enough, there is a lot of research suggesting there is no good reason to add fluoride to our water supply. Drinking fluorinated water allows fluoride to be absorbed systemically when fluoride's benefits are topical in nature.

A couple points of consideration I offer in regards to fluorinated water are: 1) The choice is not up to the individual. Those of us who do not consent with the fluoridation of water are 'pigeon holed' as it is difficult/expensive to avoid exposure to fluoride in the water once it is in there. 2) There are systemic risks of having exposure to fluoride as it is a toxic free radical.

What You Need to Know About Fluoride.
Chemically speaking, flouride is a ion. The manner in which it benefits tooth decay is by creating a stonger environment so the acids from bacteria cannot survive as readily.  Note this is a topical influence and except for the initial contact/swooshing of water in one's mouth, there is no other benefit for fluoride in water as it travels through our body. It does not serve as a treatment to the tooth or gums themselves and it does not benefit oral health when absorbed systemically. Fluoride, when taken systemically is toxic to the body, it is stored in the bones and processed through the kidneys.  Water supplies allow 0.7 mg/L which is decreased from the previous 0.7-1.2 mg/L range. There are many health claims and conditions that are suspected to be related to fluoridation such as thyroid problems, kidney disease, cancer, etc. Fluoride has an affinity for calcium and therefore makes it insoluble and unusable to the body. (We need calcium!!) Fluoride was once used to decrease the function of the thyroid gland in a HYPERthyroid state and it is interesting to consider that chronic exposure of it may little by little decrease the function of the thyroid gland by this same mechanism. There are studies that also indicate the improvement in dental health over years and years to be unclearly correlated with the addition of fluoride in water and may more likely have improved regardless because of the increase in hygeine and regular cleanings. It is my contention that fluoride may be beneficial topically but to be put into our water supply seems a LOT unnecessary.

Can you Filter Fluoride Out?

The three successful ways to get fluoride OUT of water is by either: Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, or by using an Activated Alumina Defluoridation filter. These are usually quite expensive investments and there are some uncertainties behind drinking distilled water all the time. Your typical water filter (ie Brita or Pur) are ineffective at removing fluoride and likewise no matter how you treat the water be it baking, boiling, freezing, or sautéing-- be sure it will not do a thing to the fluoride content.

Natural Alternatives?
Other suggestions for dental health that are on the more natural front is that of Xylitol. This is a natural sugar that has no glycemic index, (not appropriate for sweetening coffee and baked goods) but is a sugar that creates an uninhabitable environment for bacteria that contribute to dental caries along side reducing overall plaque build up and helps with bone remineralization! This is available in gums, mints, and toothpaste and the research is looking good in terms of overall benefit. However we need to be cognizant of how this is derived and manufactured, and yet again we can't go throwing it in our water supply as a sentiment to better dental health. Just because it is natural, does not mean it is always the safest thing for us. Use in moderation, use in small doses and by gosh if you really want good teeth-- eat a healthy diet for your mouth and body's sake! ie. clean water, low sugar, lots of vitamins and minerals.