dental fluorosis

Fluoride Causing Health Issues, Some Experts Say

Is fluoride causing health issues? More and more experts seem to think so.

Walk down the self-care aisle of any grocery store and you will find an array of toothpaste and mouthwash that promise to do everything except make you taller. Use this one to get whiter teeth and another one to help sensitive teeth. Most of these products have one thing in common: they contain fluoride.

Fluoride Causing Health Issues? Is Our Water Safe?

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical substance found in minor quantities throughout the air, in water, soil, plants, animals, in toothpaste, many city water supplies, soft drinks, and at the dentist. The effort to ramp up fluoride in the United States began as early as the 1930s in an attempt to prevent dental caries through the addition of fluoride to the public water supply. By 1951, water fluoridation was the official policy of the U.S. Public Health Service with fluoridated water reaching 50 million people in the United States by 1961.

However, findings from research prompts local policy makers to rethink their public health policy on supporting fluoridation of the water supply since lowering the “safe rate” for fluoride in 2015 due to evidence that fluoride causing health issues surfacing. The discussion on lowering the fluoride levels in water has long been a topic of contentious research. Even as early as 1992, Burt argued in “The Changing Patterns of Systemic Fluoride Intake” that the United states needed “a downward revision in the schedule for fluoride supplementation” as well as education on the potential for the damaging fluoride causing health issues brought on by too much fluoride (p 1).

Investigations Into Fluoride

In 1961, investigations into the safety of fluoride in the United States found “no clinically significant, adverse, physiological, or functional effects, with the exception of dental fluorosis, are to be anticipated in persons whose water supply contains fluoride in the concentration of 8 ppm ” (Azar, et al, 1961). In other words, the United States’ early findings supported nearly double the safe amount of 4 ppm now recorded by professionals in other global communities as the ceiling for safe water fluoridation levels. This would be fine if the adverse effects of fluoride causing health issues were benign. However, that’s not the case.

Chronic fluoride intoxication

Chronic fluoride intoxication, known as fluoride toxicity, begins with a mottling of tooth enamel and an elevation of bone density, called osteosclerosis. This effect is seen throughout communities where the domestic water supply is composed of fluoride in concentrations of over four parts per million (1-5). Moreover, fluoride is a recognized developmental neurotoxin, and not an essential trace element required for the development of healthy teeth and bones (Karimzade, Aghaei & Mahvi, 2014).

Additional and very recent studies have linked exposure to fluoridated water during childhood “with impaired attention and cognitive and intellectual functioning” that manifests in children and adults as ADD/ADHD (Karimzade, Aghaei & Mahvi, 2014; Malin & Till, 2015). Both prenatal and postnatal exposure to fluoride causing health issues have been linked to adverse effects of neurodevelopment (Malin & Till, 2015). Knowing this, you might begin to wonder why pediatric dentistry is touting it as so necessary to the public health and ask yourself, “Is fluoride safe?” This is a legitimate concern, and one whose full merits have yet to be addressed. Once considered a “fringe issue”, fluoride causing health issues are now linked to hypothyroid, the condition of underactive thyroid.

Fluoride in Austin, Texas

A 2012 Water District 17 meeting in Austin illustrated one of the most alarming aspects of such discussions regarding fluoride causing health issues. Texas dentist Mark Peppard, designated himself as a “referral base for M. D. Anderson”. He recounted receiving patients suffering from oral, head, and neck cancers. The primary intervention he offers is a fluoride tray containing “at least 5,000 ppm of topical application every night”.

Dentists like Dr. Peppard rely on the most convenient fallback for professionals. They default to literature supported by their local association without regard to errors in judgment regarding the safety of fluoride. Dentists often disregard the consequences of such treatments that extend beyond the teeth and adversely affect entire system. Fluoride causing health issues may not exist in Austin’s water supply if not for these professional opinions. However, the input of one local dentist has proven enough to keep fluoride causing health issues in Austin’s water supply.

American Dental Association on Fluoride

The data from global research becomes a little fuzzier when interpreted by The American Dental Association. They have your friendly local dentist advocating childhood fluoride causing health issues treatments at every teeth cleaning. The ADA asserts “community water fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural fluoride concentration in water up to the level recommended for optimal dental health” in a range of 0.7 to 1.2 ppm. This ranking is well above levels at which thyroid function is found to deteriorate (2005). The ADA’s “Fluoride Facts” pamphlet claimed that up to 1.22 ppm fluoride causing health issues in water was safe (2005). This information is considered incorrect based on recent studies. The ADA is also advocating what are now regarded as dangerously high levels of fluoride causing health issues.

More recent research from the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health asserts that water fluoridation above 4 ppm is linked to “30 per cent higher than expected rates of underactive thyroid” (Peckham, Lowrey & Spencer, 2015). Looking at the prevalence of underactive thyroid diagnoses for 2012-2013, data compiled from over 7935 general practices measure the risk. In England, roughly 6 million people live in communities adding up to 1 mg fluoride to their water supply.

Fluoride in the UK

Researchers added data comparing areas of the West Midlands, which has fluoridated drinking water, and Greater Manchester, which does not. They discovered a clear association between rates of underactive thyroid and levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

These observations, did not account for other sources of fluoride, such as those found in dental products, food, and drinks. These products are part of the systemic changes that Burt’s findings cite. The research from the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health concluded that “consideration needs to be given to reducing fluoride exposure, and public dental health interventions should stop [those] reliant on ingested fluoride and switch to topical fluoride-based and non-fluoride-based interventions” (Peckham, Lowrey & Spencer, 2015, p 5).

Conclusion on Fluoride

What do all the numbers and the research show? The takeaway from the fluoride debate is that agencies seem very comfortable using policing powers of states to over-medicate populations. They create grievous health concerns for many that no one ever answers for or alleviates. Unilateral decisions deem adding fluoride to drinking water in the best interest of their populations. After discovering their error through new safety research, they employed lower fluoride levels. A small parcel of states still hold out against the addition of fluoride into their drinking water. (See below the communities that have rejected fluoride). It seems prudent to treat individuals who might need additional fluoride rather than poisoning large segments of the population.

COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE REJECTED FLUORIDATION SINCE 1990

(affected by decision of the Olivehurt Public Utility)

Smithville, Missouri
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Pine Island, Florida
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Milton, Florida
Bradford, Vermont
Romulus, New York
Pulaski, New York
Wichita, Kansas
Harvard, Nebraska
Crescent City, California
Lake View, Iowa
Cassadaga, New York
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Argos, Indiana
Bassett, Nebraska
Palisades, Colorado
Pevely, Missouri
Lakeville, Indiana
North Liberty, Indiana
Walkerton, Indiana
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
Curacao
Albuquerque, New Mexico
West Manheim, Pennsylvania
Bourbon, Indiana
Bolivar, Missouri
Myerstown, Pennsylvania
Hartland Township, Michigan
Grantsburg, Wisconsin
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Palmer, Alaska
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Palmer, Alaska
Welsh, Louisiana
Spencer, Indiana /BPP Water
College Station, Texas
Hohenwald, Tennessee
Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Spring Hill, Tennessee
Fairbanks, Alaska
Naples Village, New York
Mount Clemens, Michigan
Holmen, Wisconsin
Lago Vista, Texas
Mechanicsville, Iowa
Marcellus, Michigan
Independence, Virginia
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Sparta, North Carolina
Tellico, Tennessee
O’Fallon, Missouri
Red Bay, Alabama
Napa, California
Sandpoint, Idaho
Selmer, Tennessee
Crete, Nebraska
Dakota City, Nebraska
Franklin County, Nebraska
Norfolk, Nebraska
Wahoo, Nebraska
Schuylkill Haven Borough, Pennsylvania
Xenia, Ohio
Beacon, New York
Amery, Wisconsin

(Decision reversed in 2010)

Wisner, Nebraska
Yutan, Nebraska
Humboldt, Kansas
Wakefield, Nebraska
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Plainfield, Vermont (voted to remove fluoride)
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (for the 2nd time)
Skagit County, Washington
Big Canoe, Georgia
Jackman, Maine
Moose River, Maine
Corning, New York
Ainsworth, Nebraska
Aurora, Nebraska
Battle Creek, Nebraska
Bayard, Nebraska
Beatrice, Nebraska
Bridgeport, Nebraska
Broken Bow, Nebraska
Cambridge, Nebraska
Central City, Nebraska
Chadron, Nebraska
Cozad, Nebraska
Crawford, Nebraska
David City, Nebraska
Eagle, Nebraska
Friend, Nebraska
Geneva, Nebraska
Gothenburg, Nebraska
Grand Island, Nebraska
Grant, Nebraska
Hastings, Nebraska
Hebron, Nebraska
Imperial, Nebraska
Kimball, Nebraska
Lexington, Nebraska
Madison, Nebraska
Milford, Nebraska
Mitchell, Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Ord, Nebraska
Pawnee City, Nebraska
Pierce, Nebraska
Plainview, Nebraska
Ravenna, Nebraska
Schuyler, Nebraska
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Shelton, Nebraska
Sidney, Nebraska
St. Paul, Nebraska
Stanton, Nebraska
Stromsburg, Nebraska
Sutherland, Nebraska
Sutton, Nebraska
Tekamah, Nebraska
Valentine, Nebraska
Weeping Water, Nebraska
Wilber, Nebraska
Wood River, Nebraska
Wymore, Nebraska
York, Nebraska
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Hyndburn, Lancashire, England
Pendle, Lancashire, England
Alamo Heights, Texas
Elba, New York
Littleton, Massachusetts
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Poughkeepsie, New York
Manila, Humboldt County, Calfornia
Lewisburg, Tennessee
Elgin City Council, Texas
Juneau, Alaska
O’Connor UD, Sparta, White County, Georgia
Quebeck Walling UD, Sparta, White County, Georgia
Cobleskill Village, Schoharie County, New York

(Decision reversed in 2009)

Marshall County BUP#1, Lewisburg, Marshall County, Georgia
LaGuardo UD, Lebanon, Wilson County, Georgia
Conewango Township, Pennsylvania
Glade Township, Pennsylvania
Mead Township, Pennsylvania
Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania
Big Creek Utility District, Grundy County, Georgia
Cagle-Fredonia Utility District, Big Creek, Sequatchie, Georgia
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Beach Haven, New Jersey
Sulphur Rock, Arkansas
Mt Desert Water District, Maine
East Montgomery, Tennessee
Martin County, Florida
Juneau, Alaska
Central Bridge Water District, New York
Ashland, Oregon

(Decision reversed in 2008)

Lenapah, Oklahoma
Page, Arizona
Lincoln, Maine
Lafayette, Tennessee
Bellingham, Washington State
Springfield, Ohio
Xenia, Ohio
Tooele, Utah
Mammoth Lakes, California
Homer, New York
Hood River, Oregon
Neosho, Missouri
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Snohomish, Washington State
Lancaster, Ohio
Hutchinson, Kansas
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Milton, Washington State
Telluride, Colorado
Sumner, Washington State
South Blount Water District, Tennessee
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

(Rejected again in 2009)

Honolulu, Hawaii
Lancaster, Ohio
Sequim, Washington State
York, Nebraska
Columbiana, Alabama
Canton, New York
Shaler, Pennsylvania
Billings, Montana
Kalispell, Montana
Washoe County, Nevada
Methuen, Massachusetts
Redding, California
Watsonville, California
Texarkana, Arkansas
Ashdown, Arkansas
Oneida, New York
Franklin, North Carolina
Plainville, Massachusetts
Monroe, Louisiana
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Kennewick, Washington
Bennington, Vermont
Lanai, Hawaii
Erie, Colorado

NOTE: FAN was informed in Jan 2013 that Erie is fluoridating. We do not know when the reversal took place.

Modesto, California
Worcester, Massachusetts
Flagstaff, Arizona
Sutherlin, Oregon
White Salmon, Washington
Goldendale, Washington
Bishopville, South Carolina
Harper, Kansas
Brewster, Massachusetts
McPherson, Kansas
Norridgewock, Maine
Blue River, Wisconsin
Willamina, Oregon
Ithaca, New York
Spokane, Washington
Brattleboro, Vermont
East Wenatchee, Washington
Shawano, Wisconsin
Nibly City, Utah
Hyrum City, Utah
Providence City, Utah
Smithfield City, Utah
Logan City, Utah
River Heights, Utah
Pequannock, New Jersey
Ozark, Missouri
Wooster, Ohio
Woodside, California
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Winfield, Kansas
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Santa Barbara, California
Johnstown, New York
Wichita, Kansas
Boca Raton, Florida
El Carjon, California
Helix Water District, California
Lakeside Water District, California
Hutchinson, Kansas
Riverview Water District, California
La Mesa, California
Santa Cruz, California
Olympia, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Seward, Nebraska
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Grand Island, Nebraska
Norfolk, Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Washington, Missouri
Kitmat, British Columbia, Canada
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Ridgefield, Oregon
Largo, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
North Redington Beach, Florida
Amsterdam, New York
Suisun City, California
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Village of Orfordville, Wisconsin
Western Nassau County, New York
Gothenberg, Nebraska
Bloomer, Wisconsin
Kodiak, Alaska
Carle Place, New York
Winter Springs, Florida
Pasco, Florida
York, Pennsylvania
Thurmont, Maryland
Albany, New York
Middletown, Maryland
Barnstable (Cape Cod), Massachusetts
Wagoner, Oklahoma
Redwood Valley, California
Los Altos Hills (Purissima) California
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada
Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Milltown, Wisconsin
Bellingham, Washington
Comox/Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
Palm Beach County, Florida

Note: Parts of the county are fluoridated

Ketchikan, AlaskaSuffolk County, New YorkDavis, CaliforniaMorgan Hill, California

References

Azar Ha, Nucho Ck, Bayyuk Si, Bayyuk Wb. “Skeletal Sclerosis Due to Chronic Fluoride Intoxication: Cases from an Endemic Area of Fluorosis in the Region of the Persian Gulf.” Ann Intern Med. 1961;55:193-200. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-55-2-193BMJ. “Water fluoridation in England linked to higher rates of underactive thyroid.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150224083811.htm>.

Burt, B. A. (1992). “The changing patterns of systemic fluoride intake.” Journal of Dental Research, 71(5), 1228-1237.Hanes, M., & Jones, M. (n.d.). Fluoride Action Network. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://fluoridealert.org/content/communities/Isah,

H. A., Mohammed, U. A., & Mohammed, A. A. (2014). Environmental distribution of fluoride in drinking waters of Kaltungo area, North-Eastern Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 19-24.

Karimzade, S., Aghaei, M., & Mahvi, A. H. (2014). Investigation of intelligence quotient in 9–12-year-old children exposed to high-and low-drinking water fluoride in west Azerbaijan province, Iran. Fluoride, 47(1), 9-14.

Malin, A. J., & Till, C. (2015). Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association. Environmental Health, 14(1), 17.

McGinley, J., & Stoufflet, N. (2005). Fluoridation Facts. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member Center/FIles/fluoridation_facts.ashx

Peckham, Lowery & Spencer. “Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data and fluoride levels in drinking water.” Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, February 2015 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-204971

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