Ingestion of Fluoride Has Little Benefit, But Many Risks
In this week’s edition of Mouth to Mouth we are going to look at some of the documented adverse effects of fluoride ingestion. Please keep in mind that these effects have been associated with doses attainable by people living in fluoridated areas.
1. Risk to the Brain
- According to the National Research Council (NRC) in the United States, fluoride can cause brain damage.
- Human studies have adverse effects on IQ levels as low as 0.9ppm with nutrient deficiencies and 1.8ppm among children with adequate nutrition.
- Animal studies conducted in the 1990’s found dementia-like effects at the same concentration (1ppm) used to fluoridate water.
2. Risk to the Thyroid Gland
- According to the NRC, fluoride is a endocrine disrupter.
- Doses of fluoride achievable by drinking fluorididated water can reduce thyroid function among individuals with low-iodine intake.
- Reduced thyroid activity can lead to decreased mental sharpness, depression and weight gain.
3. Risk to Bones
- According to the NRC, fluoride can diminish bone strength and increase the risk of bone fracture.
- Unable to determine a safe level of fluoride for bones, best available information suggests that levels as low as 1.5ppm may increase fracture risk.
4. Risk for Bone Cancer
- Animal and human studies including a recent study from a team of Harvard scientists have found a link between fluoride and a serious form of bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in males under 20.
5. Risk to Kidney Patients
- Kidney Disease patients have an impaired ability to excrete fluoride from the body and therefore are more susceptible to it’s toxicity and subsequent accumulation in their bones.
- This toxic build-up in the bones can intensify the toxicity of aluminum build-up and cause or worsen a painful bone disease known as renal osteodystrophy.
Please keep in mind that these risks come from documented studies and therefore may be viewed as evidence-based. If anyone is interested, I have a complete list of all the studies referred to and would be more than happy to send a copy to anyone interested.
Next week we will explore the exaggerated benefits of water fluoridation and how proponents of water fluoridation now admit that it is not as effective as it was once claimed to be!
Do these findings surprise you? I would love your feedback. Here on my blog, you will get commentluv. For all bloggers out there, when you leave feedback, you can leave a link back to your own blog site. But you don’t have to be a blogger to leave a comment. I want to hear from everyone!
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
I would appreciate the list of studies. Great for the ole portfolio
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen, I will forward the list of studies that I have to support the fluoride risks that I am blogging about. I am amazed myself at the evidence-based research that is out there that supports the anti-fluoride lobby.
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, love what your doing here and your practice looks amazing.
It amazes me that many in dentistry are very passive and defensive about information like this.
I would like to know more about your studies if you can send them to my email would be great.
thank you
Hi Sofia,
Since my comments are based on evidence-based research and I can no longer lose my job over speaking my mind, I feel it’s part of my mission to inform the public of these concerns.
My office carries and promotes the Oxyfresh line and I had wished that the introductory/starter pack had not contained any fluoride-based products that I am now stuck with. I was told that my concerns would be forwarded to head office over a year ago and have never heard back.
Regards,
Kathleen
thats great you promote oxyfresh, I love the line. In fact the fluoride line sells a lot more. People love it. I personally use the power paste, nothing beats it. I am not sure, but i do not think you can customize the starter pack, they combine all the samples their. Soon i will have a blog, you have great stuff here
I too love the products, but since I promote the use of non-fluoridated products it was a waste of money for me to have these fluoridated products in my starter pack. Also, if I am recommending them to other practitioners that feel the same way, the fact that you must take them might be a bit of a hindrance to people looking at adopting the whole product line.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Wow, there are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t use Florine that I didn’t know about. Still, as long as you are careful with the stuff, I think you would be okay. Plus there are many benefits to people, even kids using it. Check it out.
http://yovia.com/blogs/oralhealth/2010/04/15/the-impact-of-fluoride-on-kids/?utm_source=28&utm_medium=yovia&utm_campaign=yovia
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for responding to my blog. I had a look at the site you sent me and while I agree that the dental profession has strongly endorsed the use of fluoride there are some compelling studies that suggest fluoride has nothing to do with the decline in caries rates. I am suggesting that we need to educate ourselves as to all the facts and look at alternatives that might be healthier.