Many people think that fluoride is completely safe and is crucial for dental health. However, there are lots of studies that suggest exactly the opposite. There are various types of compounds known as fluoride. For instance, calcium fluoride is contained in well water in varying degrees. Seawater contains this compound as well.
Sodium fluoride is the compound that was added to drinking water. Unlike calcium fluoride, sodium fluoride is properly absorbed by our bodies and is considered synthetic. Before it became known as the option for dental health, sodium fluoride was just a toxic waste.
The third kind of fluoride makes up 90% of today’s fluoridated water supply in the US. It’s called hydrofluorosilicic acid and is also considered industrial waste.
Sodium fluoride which is contained in most tubes of toothpaste can be beneficial for dental health when applied topically. It maintains the remineralization and helps teeth heal from cavities.
Unlike fluoride in toothpaste, fluoride in water isn’t able to prevent cavities. Moreover, swallowing and ingesting this chemical can cause more harm than benefits.
Fluoride can cause abnormal fetal development, lead to sleep issues. It negatively affects neurotransmitter levels such as histamine, epinephrine, serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, acetylcholine, and dopamine.
These facts sound terrifying and make us wonder why we’re still adding fluoride to water. How exactly can this chemical affect our health? Keep reading this article to learn more.
1. Brain Damage
According to the 1990 Mullenix study, both prenatal and postnatal exposure to fluoride led to issues with cognition and attention. It means that even low exposure to fluoride can increase the risk of brain damage. Different studies report that high exposure to fluoridated water is linked to up to a 7-point drop in IQ scores.
This might be due to the fact that fluoride can make your body absorb more aluminum which actually plays a big role in brain degradation. It means that fluoride might lead to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also known that fluoride might have a negative impact on circadian rhythms and sleep. According to a late 2019 review, exposure to fluoride might also be linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
2. Fluorosis
Fluorosis contributes to the development of small, white, or brown spots on the teeth that lead to serious dental issues.
In countries with high levels of calcium fluoride found in the water, people can get severe fluorosis which is called crippling skeletal fluorosis. This is a condition in which bones become rigid and brittle.
Those brown and white spots on the teeth can indicate excessive fluoride ingestion which is related to many more severe issues. Moreover, people with fluorosis are more likely to get cavities. Therefore, if you notice any unusual spots on your teeth, consult your family dentist as soon as possible.
3. Hypothyroidism
According to statistics, almost 5% of the population in the United States has hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Some studies have found a connection between fluoride exposure and hypothyroidism. Fluoride can lead to poor iodine absorption and increased levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which plays a big role in the progression of hypothyroidism.
4. Cancer
Scientists suggest that significant exposure to fluoride might be linked to a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. It might happen more often in fluoridated communities, however, there are conflicting results.
5. Kidney Disease
According to scientists, ingesting fluoride increased the markers of kidney injury in adults living in Mexico. Other studies report that there are direct negative effects on the kidneys by excess fluoride which results in kidney damage and dysfunction. Therefore, exposure to high doses of fluoride can lead to kidney damage, ultimately resulting in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
6. Chronic Diseases
Fluoride might also contribute to various health issues such as diabetes and related complications, anemia, early puberty, a spinal cord disease and/or cardiovascular disease.
