Too Much Fluoride in Water?
Many consider fluoride in municipal water systems to be one of the most successful public health programs that has ever been undertaken in the U.
S.
There is clear evidence that since local water systems have added this element to drinking water that young people have far fewer cavities than they used to.
Fluoride has been added to more and more products throughout the years, however, starting with toothpaste and mouthwash, and now it is added to soft drinks, canned foods, and many other products.
Several studies now indicate that the country has reached a point where the incidence of fluorosis has increased significantly in young people, especially those 12-15 years of age.
This condition causes teeth to have tiny white spots on them.
In some extreme cases the teeth can start to pit, but this is often only perceptible by a dentist or hygienist.
The U.
S.
government is about to lower the suggested levels of fluoride in local water supplies.
Right now the suggested levels are 0.
7 to 1.
3 milligrams per liter of water.
The new guidelines will be 0.
7 milligrams per liter.
For readings above 2.
0 milligrams per liter the government suggests that parents find other sources of drinking water for children.
Of course fluoride is a naturally occurring element, and some sources of water have sufficient levels of the element without any being added.
Observations of people who had high levels of fluoride in their locals water supplies over fifty years ago led to studies that concluded adding fluorine into the water of people whose local area provided little or none of it would be a good idea, and by and large it has been.
There is some small indication that too much fluoride in water can cause greater harm.
There are some indications that weak or brittle bones can be the result if very high levels of fluoride are consumed.
This is preliminary research at this point and will need to be investigated further.
Since local water companies are required to report and measure the amount of fluorine in their water, people can easily find out what the normal levels of fluoride are in their local area.
Just do an internet search for "CDC my water's fluoride"or something close to that and you will find the CDC web site.
CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control.
You'll see a clickable map where you can start by clicking on your state and then filling in some local information.
In my local area, for example, the results were that the fluoride levels vary from 0.
62 to 1.
40 mg/liter.
If the level in your area is too high, tell your kids only to use a pea size amount of toothpaste, and tell them to spit it out and not swallow it.
For very small children, supervise their teeth brushing and make sure they don't swallow the toothpaste while brushing.
S.
There is clear evidence that since local water systems have added this element to drinking water that young people have far fewer cavities than they used to.
Fluoride has been added to more and more products throughout the years, however, starting with toothpaste and mouthwash, and now it is added to soft drinks, canned foods, and many other products.
Several studies now indicate that the country has reached a point where the incidence of fluorosis has increased significantly in young people, especially those 12-15 years of age.
This condition causes teeth to have tiny white spots on them.
In some extreme cases the teeth can start to pit, but this is often only perceptible by a dentist or hygienist.
The U.
S.
government is about to lower the suggested levels of fluoride in local water supplies.
Right now the suggested levels are 0.
7 to 1.
3 milligrams per liter of water.
The new guidelines will be 0.
7 milligrams per liter.
For readings above 2.
0 milligrams per liter the government suggests that parents find other sources of drinking water for children.
Of course fluoride is a naturally occurring element, and some sources of water have sufficient levels of the element without any being added.
Observations of people who had high levels of fluoride in their locals water supplies over fifty years ago led to studies that concluded adding fluorine into the water of people whose local area provided little or none of it would be a good idea, and by and large it has been.
There is some small indication that too much fluoride in water can cause greater harm.
There are some indications that weak or brittle bones can be the result if very high levels of fluoride are consumed.
This is preliminary research at this point and will need to be investigated further.
Since local water companies are required to report and measure the amount of fluorine in their water, people can easily find out what the normal levels of fluoride are in their local area.
Just do an internet search for "CDC my water's fluoride"or something close to that and you will find the CDC web site.
CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control.
You'll see a clickable map where you can start by clicking on your state and then filling in some local information.
In my local area, for example, the results were that the fluoride levels vary from 0.
62 to 1.
40 mg/liter.
If the level in your area is too high, tell your kids only to use a pea size amount of toothpaste, and tell them to spit it out and not swallow it.
For very small children, supervise their teeth brushing and make sure they don't swallow the toothpaste while brushing.
