Water Contaminant Spotlight: Is Fluoride In Water Bad?

There are a lot of questions around if fluoride in water is bad or good. While there isn’t an official answer to this question yet, we’re here to give you the facts so that you can formulate your own opinion. Here is the run down on the effects of fluoride in water, what it means for you and water filtering solutions that can address high levels of it.

Why Is There Fluoride In Water?

Fluoride, a compound derived from the chemical element fluorine, is found in soil, water and food. Water fluoridation, which refers to the process of synthetically adding fluoride to community water supplies, is driven by the belief that fluoride may help reduce the prevalence of tooth decay. In general, synthetically modified water has an average fluoride concentration of 1 milligram per liter added, while naturally occurring fluoride concentrations usually don’t exceed 0.3 milligrams per liter. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the recommended fluoride level in drinking water, for the purposes of protecting teeth health, is 0.7 milligrams per liter.

The Effects Of Fluoride In Water

While studies show the dental health benefits of fluoride in water, is adding it necessary? There are other methods to topically add fluoride to tooth enamel, like brushing your teeth with fluoride-rich toothpaste, which makes the addition of it in water unnecessary. Since the public cannot control the level of fluoride being added, individuals who may drink more water than others or infants drinking formula made from tap water may be ingesting a more than normal amount.

Some possible health concerns of ingesting toxic levels of fluoride include:

• Skeletal fluorosis – a disease where bones may become hardened and less elastic, leading to increased risk of fractures and impaired joint mobility.
• Thyroid issues – damage to the parathyroid gland which can ultimately lead to calcium depletion in bone structures, making them more susceptible to fractures.
• Neurological problems – various research studies have linked possible negative impacts on cognitive development in children.

How Can Water Filtration Address Fluoride In Water

There are both pros and cons to water fluoridation, but one thing we do know at Culligan is that water filtration can help remove high concentrations of fluoride from water. Different regions may have varying levels of fluoride in water, and groundwater can have particularly high concentrations. But how can you know what your water quality really looks like? Call on Culligan to test your water and provide a water filtration solution that fits your needs. You may benefit from a reverse osmosis water filtration system, which uses technology to filter out water contaminants including fluoride. Regardless of your water quality, we have a solution that will meet your specific needs. We’re here to keep you informed about all aspects of the water running from your faucet and what you can do to make sure it’s optimal for drinking.