Do you live in a city or town that puts fluoride in their water? Are you concerned about the health effects of drinking fluoridated water, or do you desire fluoride to be in you water? Perhaps you heard it is poisonous or listened to people say it is great for your health. The debate can be contentious, but we are here to help you understand the facts.
Why Fluoride?
Why do cities put fluoride in their water? Fluoride is added to water by municipalities to help increase the oral health of their community. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen enamel which is the outer layer of your teeth. A strong enamel prevents cavities and other dental issues.
Why the Debate?
People fear that they may be consuming too much fluoride if they drink fluoridated water. Fluoride is beneficial in small quantities, but if people consume too much fluoride it can develop serious health problems. Fluorosis, the disease associated with consuming too much fluoride, has many symptoms. The first symptom and least dangerous is teeth staining and pitting. If ignored, eventually your teeth and enamel can be damaged beyond repair. However, the worst condition associated with extreme cases of fluorosis is called skeletal fluorosis. If people perpetually consume excessive amounts of fluoride it can build up in the skeletal structure and weaken your bones by making them brittle. Signs of skeletal fluorosis are joint pain and stiffness.
Am I In Danger?
Most communities don’t put even half the amount of fluoride necessary to cause fluorosis. In the U.S., drinking water cannot exceed 4 mg/L however it is often advised to not exceed 2 mg/L. Therefore, most municipalities don’t put more than 1.2 mg/L fluoride in their water. Even if you drink fluoridated water, brush your teeth, and use mouth wash it is unlikely you will develop fluorosis. Most people who experience fluorosis consume fluoride tablets, drops, or fluoridated tooth paste instead of spitting it out. In some cases, if people live in an area with high levels of natural occurring fluoride, it is possible to unknowingly consume excessive amounts of fluoride, especially when using a private well. Therefore, unless you live in an area known for its high levels of fluoride or are consuming fluoride-concentrated supplements, you have little to worry about.
What Should I Do?
If you are concerned about your fluoride consumption, you may be able to protect yourself by utilizing a whole house water system. Reverse osmosis drinking systems will eliminate fluoride from your water, giving you peace of mind.
Martin Water
Here at Martin Water we provide some of the best reverse osmosis drinking systems that will guard your home against fluoride. If your concerned about your water, we provide free water testing. We would love to serve you!