Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been added to public water by authorities with an intention to improve the dental health of the people. And its inclusion in the water does help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. However, there are questions about its potential risks and long-term effects on the human body.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss one such question – is fluoride in drinking water bad for human health or not? So, without any delay, let’s head towards the main topic.
Is fluoride in water bad for you?
There is no doubt that fluoride helps teeth, but getting too much isn’t good. High fluoride can cause problems like stained or pitted teeth. It may also weaken bones over time and even lead to breaks. Some research claims that a lot of fluoride leads to thyroid issues, too.
It’s important for people to understand these possible risks from fluoride so that people can make the best choices for their health.
Potential Risks of Consuming Too Much Fluoride
Below are some potential health risks that you may be experience due to the consumptions of too much fluoride on a regular basis.
- Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosis is a condition young kids can get if they have too much fluoride while their teeth are growing. The extra fluoride can cause their tooth enamel to look uneven, with white spots or streaks. It’s usually just about looks, not pain.
But sometimes the enamel can get pits or stains too. Dental fluorosis happens because little ones’ teeth are still developing, so too much fluoride in their water or food can affect how their enamel forms.
- Skeletal Fluorosis
Prolonged ingestion of very high fluoride levels can result in skeletal fluorosis over many years. This causes the bones and joints to deteriorate as fluoride builds up in the bones and tissues. People with skeletal fluorosis may experience symptoms like severe bone and joint pain.
In advanced cases, the spine and joints can calcify, resulting in limited mobility. While rare in developed nations, this serious bone disease remains a concern in over-exposed areas.
- Increased Risk of Bone Fractures
Some research shows that getting a lot of fluoride for a long time may raise the chance of broken bones when you’re older. Scientists found that fluoride can change how your bones form as you age, making them more likely to crack. One study looked at seniors who fell.
Those who lived where the water had high fluoride were more likely to break a hip than people in low fluoride areas. While we need more proof, fragile bones could be another possible downside to too much fluoride exposure over many years.
- Thyroid Dysfunction
Some research shows that consuming excessive amounts of fluoride causes thyroid problems. The thyroid helps control how the body works by making hormones. Studies show a lot of fluoride may mess with how the thyroid talks to the rest of the body.
This could change the amount of hormones over time. More studies are needed to know for sure, but too much fluoride seems to affect thyroid signaling. The thyroid is important, so any effect on it and hormone levels from fluoride intake need more looking into to understand if it impacts health.
Proven Filtration Methods to Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water
There are several filtration methods or techniques that can help you efficiently remove fluoride from drinking water. Below, we have explained the most effective ones.
- Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Reverse osmosis is widely considered one of the most effective methods for removing fluoride. Using a semipermeable membrane, reverse osmosis systems force water through tiny pores to filter out contaminants like fluoride ions.
Kitchen models connect easily to faucets, while whole-home versions treat water throughout the house.
- Distillation
Distillation is a highly effective but more involved method of fluoride removal. It works by boiling water and then condensing the steam. Fluoride ions remain in the boiling chamber while pure water condenses.
Distillers are countertop units that produce fresh drinking water through this process. While requiring more maintenance, distillation guarantees the maximum reduction of fluoride and other contaminants down to zero parts per million.
- Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina filters use a chemical adsorption process similar to ion exchange resins. The porous alumina material attracts and traps fluoride ions from water. Kitchen faucet attachments and pitcher filters contain activated alumina granules to lower fluoride levels in easy-to-use systems.
Along with bone char and resin filters, alumina helps round out a multi-stage fluoride removal approach for concerned families. With regular filter replacement, activated alumina is a simple solution.
- Bone Char Carbon Filtration
Bone char carbon filters derived from animal bones have been used for centuries to purify water supplies. These natural filters work through adsorption that attracts and traps fluoride molecules. Home systems typically contain bone char mixed with activated carbon.
The dual carbon media effectively lowers fluoride levels by exchanging and binding the ions. As a time-tested solution, bone char filtration remains a popular and affordable choice.
- Ion Exchange Resin Filters
Ion exchange resin filters provide a chemical approach to removing fluoride. The resins are made of a material that attracts fluoride ions and swaps them for safer ions like chloride. This “ion exchange” process purifies water through a chemical reaction rather than physical adsorption.
Resin filters are often incorporated into water softeners or standalone pitchers to lower fluoride content. Recharging or replacing the resin cartridges keeps the filters performing efficiently.
- Activated Carbon Filtration
While activated carbon alone doesn’t remove much fluoride, it can boost other methods’ effectiveness. Activated carbon filters work by adsorbing contaminants and are often combined with bone char filters or ion exchange resins.
Together, these create a multi-stage process that more thoroughly extracts fluoride. Some countertop systems pair activated carbon with alumina or resin beads for enhanced filtration power.
Final Words:
Maintaining the proper fluoride balance is important for oral and whole-body health. By understanding the risks of overexposure and the filtration techniques available, families can choose a method suitable for their needs that lowers levels safely.
With minor adjustments like drinking filtered water, you can help safeguard your loved ones’ wellness now and over the long run.
