Water is the basic need of life. We need it to stay hydrated, keep our bodies functioning properly, and maintain overall health. But have you ever wondered what is in the water that you drink normally?
One element commonly found in tap water is fluoride. Most of you may have likely heard about fluoride in toothpaste, but why is it in drinking water? And most important is it safe for the health?
In this blog post, we will cover these questions to understand more about fluoride and its positive and negative impact on our health.
Also, read our blog post about Is MiO Actually Bad for You?
What Does Fluoride Do in Drinking Water?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is often found in rocks, soil, and water as well. It is known for its ability to prevent tooth decay, and that is why it is added to public water supplies in a process known as water fluoridation.
The basic purpose of adding fluoride to water is to decrease cavities and improve dental health. Research shows that fluoride in water strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth. This means fewer cavities and less chance of developing painful dental problems.
However, not everyone agrees that adding fluoride to water is a good thing. Some individuals raise questions about whether it is necessary or if it could have negative health effects.
Is Fluoride Safe? – Positive and Negative Impacts
The safety of fluoride is a topic that individuals often argue about. While many experts support fluoridation others warn about potential risks. Let’s look at both positive and negative impacts of fluoride:
Positive Impacts:
1. Better Dental Health: Fluoride’s ability to prevent cavities is its most well-known advantage. Several research studies show that areas with fluoridated water have lower chances of tooth decay than those without fluoridated water. Fluoride is specifically beneficial for children as it helps build strong and healthy teeth during their formative years.
2. Cost Effective: Preventing dental problems through water fluoridation can save money on dental treatments. For each dollar spent on adding fluoride, communities save an average of 40-Dollars in dental treatment costs.
3. Equity in Public Health: Not every person can afford regular dental checkups or fluoride treatments. By simply adding fluoride to drinking water, public health programs can make sure that everyone regardless of income has few levels of protection against cavities.
Negative Impacts:
1. Dental Fluorosis: Consuming excessive fluoride during childhood can lead to dental fluorosis. Dental Fluorosis is a condition that makes clear white spots appears on teeth. While it is not often serious and only affects the look of teeth, severe cases can normally cause brown marks on teeth and also make teeth weaker.
2. Skeletal Fluorosis: Long-term exposure to fluoride can seriously affect bones, leading to a condition called skeletal fluorosis. This condition can normally cause joint stiffness, pain, and even fractures in serious cases.
3. Possible Health Concerns: Some research suggested connections between high fluoride levels and other health problems such as thyroid problems, lower IQ in children, and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it is quite important to note that these findings are still debated and many more studies are required to confirm these connections.
4. Ethical Concerns: Some individuals also argue that fluoridating water takes away individual choice. Since water is a basic need, adding fluoride to drinking water means everyone consumes it, whether they want to or not.
How to Remove Fluoride from Water?
If you are worried about fluoride in your drinking water, you can remove it by using several methods; some of the simplest methods are listed below:
Reverse Osmosis Filters:
Reverse osmosis systems use semi-permeable membranes to filter out harmful impurities from drinking water such as fluoride. These systems are extremely good in removing impurities but they can be expensive and require regular maintenance.
Activated Carbon Filters:
These filters are specifically designed to remove fluoride from home water. These filters are commonly used in households and are relatively affordable as compared to other methods.
Distillation:
Water distillers boil water and gather the steam, leaving harmful impurities such as fluoride behind. This method work well to remove fluoride from home water, but it can usually take a long time and a lot of energy.
Avoid Fluoridation Sources:
If you want to remove fluoride from drinking water, then you can go for bottled water labeled as fluoride-free or use natural sources such as rainwater. However, fluordation may not be a practical option.
DIY Tips: Some individuals opt for at-home filters which are specifically designed for pitchers or faucet attachments. Be sure to make sure that the product specifies fluoride removal as not all filters do.
So, these are some of the methods or strategies that you can consider for removing fluoride from the home water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do authorities add fluoride to water?
It is solely added to tap water as a public measure to reduce dental cavities, especially in children.
Is drinking fluoride affected safe?
If you take fluoride according to the recommended levels, then it is 100% safe. However, its excessive amount can lead to dental fluorosis and other health issues.
What do major health organizations say about fluoride in drinking water?
Some popular health organizations such as WHO and CDC endorse the use of fluoride in public drinking as a safe yet effective option for preventing dental issues.
Conclusion:
Fluorine in drinking water has its own positive and negative impacts. It helps prevent cavities, improves public dental health, and saves money on dental treatment. However, excessive fluoride can lead to serious problems such as dental or skeleton fluorosis and raises possible health concerns about personal choice.
Understanding fluoride’s effects can help you make smart decisions about your water. If you are worried about fluoride, there are several methods to remove it such as reverse osmosis systems, activated carbon filters, or choosing fluoride-free bottled water. It is about balancing the benefits and risks to make sure you and your family have safe, healthy, and pure drinking water.