Fluoride has been added to drinking water in many parts of the world since the mid-1900s, primarily to reduce dental cavities. But is it really that beneficial, or could it actually be harmful to our health? While fluoride can strengthen teeth, research shows it may also pose risks to bone health, thyroid function, and more. Let’s explore the lesser-known facts about fluoride, its impact on the body, and what you can do to reduce exposure.

Fluoride and Bone Health: The Double-Edged Sword

Fluoride replaces calcium in bones, including our teeth, to create a hardened structure called fluorapatite. While this makes bones and teeth more resistant to decay, it also has a downside. Fluoride can actually make bones brittle. Here’s how.

Our bones are in a continuous cycle of remodeling, much like maintaining an older home. Just as a house needs upkeep to stay in good shape, bones need regular remodeling to stay both strong and resilient. Fluoride disrupts this process, similar to certain osteoporosis medications, leading to bones that may harden yet become fragile and prone to fractures.

Fluoride: The Only Substance Added to Water to Treat People, Not the Water

It’s worth noting that fluoride is the only substance added to drinking water that isn’t there to purify the water itself. Instead, it’s meant to act as a treatment for those who drink it, a practice that remains controversial. Many studies supporting fluoride for cavity prevention, according to a 2015 Cochrane study, were of poor quality and biased, leaving questions about whether it actually reduces cavities as intended. Moreover, countries that don’t fluoridate their water often have similar rates of dental health, raising doubts about fluoride’s necessity.

4 Key Health Risks Linked to Fluoride Exposure

Studies have identified a range of potential health risks associated with fluoride, including the following:

1. Impaired Bone Remodeling
   By interfering with bone remodeling, fluoride increases the risk of brittle bones and fractures. This disruption also affects the body’s calcium balance, as bones serve as calcium reservoirs. Conditions like arthritis have also been linked to fluoride exposure in some cases.

2. Reduced Thyroid Function
   Fluoride, like iodine, is a halogen, and it can interfere with iodine uptake in the thyroid. This disruption may lead to hypothyroidism, a condition that impacts millions in the U.S. alone. For children, even slightly reduced thyroid function can impact memory, focus, and cognitive development.

3. Fluoridation of the Pineal Gland
   Fluoride binds strongly with calcium, and the pineal gland—a small but critical organ regulating sleep—contains high amounts of calcium. Excessive fluoride can cause calcification here, impairing melatonin production and disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm. In severe cases, it may even affect hormone balance and contribute to conditions like seasonal affective disorder and neurodegenerative diseases.

4. Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk
   Fluoride’s affinity for calcium may also contribute to cardiovascular disease by accelerating artery calcification, leading to conditions such as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attacks.

Additional potential concerns, including links to diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and even cancer, are areas needing more research.

Filtering Fluoride: How to Reduce Exposure

Fluoride is challenging to remove from water using standard filters, such as activated carbon. However, methods like reverse osmosis, distillation, activated aluminum, and bone char are effective. Reverse osmosis, in particular, is a comprehensive filtration option, though it also removes essential minerals, so it’s important to remineralize the water before consumption.

Is Fluoride Worth the Risks?

At best, fluoride provides minimal dental benefits, and the associated health risks raise questions about its widespread use in drinking water. Those who want fluoride can still get it in toothpaste or other products, but it’s increasingly clear that medicating entire communities with fluoride, without individual consent, warrants reconsideration.