Archive for October 2014

8 Interesting Facts About Fluoride

Here are 8 interesting facts about flouride and flouride toxicity.

Fact #1: The Majority of Developed Countries Do Not Add Fluoride to Their Water Supply.

Declared to be “one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century” by United States health authorities, adding fluoride to the general water supply is practiced throughout the country. However, 97% of European countries do not have fluoride added their water. More people in the U.S. drink fluoridated water than in any other part of the world combined.

Fact #2: Tooth Decay Does Not Happen Less in Countries With Fluoridated Water.

Many officials claim fluoridated water is the reason for the decline in tooth decay in the U.S. over the past 60 years. However, other countries that do not add fluoride to their water supplies have also seen the same decline in tooth decay occurrences. According to the World Health Organization, there is no identifiable difference in the level of tooth decay in countries that add fluoride and those that do not.

Fact #3: Fluoride Effects Much More Than Just Teeth.

Although fluoride supporters have long claimed the advantages of its use, according to Dr. John Doull, a well-known toxicologist who chaired the committee that reviewed fluoride with the National Academy of Science, “we have much less information than we should, considering how long it has been going on.” Doull’s committee went on to publish an intense review of the level of possible toxicity of fluoride use and concluded that adverse effects may be seen in the bones, thyroid gland, brain, pineal gland, and blood sugar levels. The committee challenged scientists to begin to review whether issues such as low intelligence, thyroid disease, diabetes, and the like, were aggravated by fluoridation.

Fact #4: Using Fluoride is Not an Extension of Nature.

Fluoride supports often say that due to its occurrence in nature it is safe to use. However, a notable fact is that many substances occur naturally such as arsenic and lithium. Occurring in nature does not make a substance safe. Moreover, artificially added fluoride is much higher than naturally occurring fluoride levels.

It’s also important to know from where the fluoride added to the water supply comes. It’s gathered from implements used to control harmful air pollution in the phosphate fertilizer industry. This corrosive acid is a hazardous air pollutant and has been known to cause cancer and other damaging conditions.

Fact #5: 40% of Teenagers in the U.S. Show Visible Signs of Being Over Exposed to Fluoride.

According to the CDC, 40% of teenagers in the U.S. have a condition known as dental fluorosis, a condition where fluoride over-exposure interferes with the natural formation of the teeth. It presents as cloudy, white spots or streaks on the teeth and, in its most severe form, brown and stained areas on the surface of the teeth.

Fact #6: There Are No Benefits for Infants to Use Fluoride, Only Risks.

Studies show that infants exposed to fluoride through the water supply when mixed with baby formula, are more likely to develop signs of dental fluorosis. Therefore, most doctors and pediatricians recommend using water that does not contain fluoride.

Fact #7: The FDA Has Never Approved the Use of Fluoride Supplements.

The FDA has received many applications for the approval of the use of fluoride for the prevention of tooth decay. All have been repeatedly rejected. Therefore, potentially toxic levels of a prescription-strength drug is being added to the water supply without the approval of the FDA.

Fact #8: The Only Medication Added to the Public Water Supply is Fluoride.

Chlorine is added to the water supply to kill bacteria and make it safe to drink. The addition of fluoride is, supposedly, to prevent tooth decay, a disease not caused by drinking water. Fluoride is the only substance purposely added to the water supply that does not treat the water itself. It’s purpose is to work as any other medication, to treat a disease. The FDA has classified fluoride as a medication since it is not a nutrient.