Uncovering the Scientific Basis for Fluoride's Impact on Human Health
- Published:
- Updated: November 25, 2024
Summary
Fluoride is added to water to strengthen teeth, yet concerns about its safety persist. Here’s what the evidence says:
- Benefits: Fluoride prevents tooth decay and strengthens enamel, especially crucial for children and low-income families lacking dental care.
- Risks: Excessive fluoride exposure may cause fluorosis (teeth discoloration), skeletal issues, thyroid problems, and neurological effects. However, evidence for these risks is inconclusive.
- Safety: Organizations like the CDC and WHO consider fluoride safe at recommended levels but acknowledge risks from excessive exposure.
Fluoride is a mineral used to clean your teeth and it is commonly found in tap water. And, despite the popularity of the product, many people still remain uneasy and in debunkation about the health effects of fluoride on humans. To make sense of the scientific basis of fluoride’s effects, let’s take a look at the literature and see how things work.
What is Fluoride and How Does it Work?
Fluoride is an element found naturally in rocks, soil and water. It’s also manufactured by some industries, like aluminum and fertilizer production. Fluoride can be added to water to harden the enamel on teeth, and to make them less prone to decay. That’s why fluoride goes into toothpaste, mouthwash and other dental products.
The Benefits of Fluoride
It also helps you to stave off tooth decay which is one of the best qualities of fluoride. Communities with fluoridated water have far fewer cavities and other dental problems than communities without fluoridated water, according to research. This is especially the case with kids and those on a low income that might not have regular dental visitation. Moreover, fluoride is known to heal tooth decay before they turn into major issues.
But there’s more to fluoride and keeping your mouth healthy than that. It can also remineralize the teeth and make them less sensitive, and it has even been used to diminish gingivitis and periodontal disease.
The Risks of Fluoride
It has its merits, but it has also got concerns about fluoride’s hazards. People are also told that fluoride overexposure can result in many different health issues, such as:
Fluorosis: Fluoride stain teeth in a way that the teeth discolors or stained with too much fluoride. It can also thin the enamel, which renders the teeth prone to decay.
Skeletal Fluorosis: A disorder in which fluoride deposits in bones leading to pain, stiffness and more.
Thyroid Disorders: Research also indicates that excess fluoride can interfere with the proper function of the thyroid gland and cause symptoms like hypothyroidism.
Brain & Cognitive Side Effects: There is some research suggesting fluoride exposure causes memory loss, lower IQ and other mental problems.
However, keep in mind that there is not yet evidence to support these risks and there are still plenty of studies to do before we know how fluoride affects people.
What Does the Evidence Say About Fluoride's Safety?
It is not clear if fluoride is safe because this has been the subject of vast scientific studies, and evidence to date shows that it is safe at the right doses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "fluoride prevents cavities safely and effectively, if administered as directed."
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also in favor of fluoride, declaring that "fluoride in water at concentrations that are appropriate for prevention of caries does not present a serious health risk." But the WHO notes that fluoride can cause illness if you get too much fluoride and says drinking water should have no more than 1.5 mg/L of fluoride.
How Much Fluoride is Too Much?
Fluoride is safe on the whole, but it’s harmful in excess. Adults and children should not ingest more than 4 mg of fluoride per day, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). We can do that by drinking fluoridated water, by applying fluoride toothpaste, and by consuming fluoride-enriched foods and beverages.
Then there’s the fact that fluoride can sting some people more than others and you have to be careful. And this even applies to people with kidney issues who might not be as able to get fluoride out of their systems. Keep in mind too that babies and children are especially vulnerable to fluoride, and should be given special attention so they do not get exposed to excessive levels.
How to Control Your Exposure to Fluoride
If you are concerned about your exposure to fluoride, there are steps you can take to reduce your intake. These include:
- Drinking bottled water that is labeled as "fluoride-free"
- Using a water filtration system that is designed to remove fluoride from drinking water
- Limiting your use of fluoride-containing dental products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash
- Eating a balanced diet that is low in processed foods and drinks that may contain added fluoride
It’s also important to talk to your dentist or doctor about your concerns, as they can provide additional guidance on how to control your exposure to fluoride.
The Future of Fluoride in Public Water Supplies
We don’t yet know what the future of fluoride in public water will hold. When new studies are conducted and new data are discovered, the position on fluoride could change. Yet, for the time being, most experts think fluoride is OK to consume at the levels widely applied to public water systems, and has many other benefits for your teeth.
The effects of fluoride on human health are controversial, and there’s still a lot to learn about its safety. But for now, most scientists think that fluoride is safe to ingest at levels normally introduced into public water supplies and has numerous benefits for the teeth. You should know what’s going on in the fluoride research and you need to know what to put in your mouth when we are drinking water and what we’re using to take care of it.
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