Fluoride (F-) is found in nature and the human body in trace amounts. It is made of fluorine bound to a metal, nonmetal, or organic compound. Fluoride is not an essential nutrient, but it is recognized as an important micromineral for the health of bones and teeth. Since the discovery of it's role in prevention of dental caries, community drinking water has been fluoridated. Sources include fluoridated drinking water, toothpaste and tea. Nearly 100% of fluoride is absorbed if consumed by itself; but absorption significantly changes when fluoride interacts with other nutrients or is consumed under certain conditions. Consumption of fluoride with solid foods decreases absorption from 50-80%. When consumed with other divalent cations, fluoride forms an insoluble complex which decreases the absorption considerably. A divalent cation is a molecule that is missing two electrons, having +2 charge which allows it to easily form two bonds with other molecules. Divalent cations such as Calcium (Ca+2) and Magnesium (Mg+2), are found in abundance in hard water. So basically, fluoride absorption is decreased in the presence of aluminum, calcium, magnesium and chloride; and is increased in the presence of sulfate and phosphate.
The Adequate Intake (AI) is consistent with the fluoridation of water at 1-2 ppm. This level is shown to have a significant decrease in number of dental caries in children without any significant increase in the cases of fluorosis. Fluorosis is the toxicity of fluoride, the mottling of tooth enamel. This can occur from too much ingestion of fluoride, drinking large amounts of carbonated beverages, or having inadequate amounts of calcium in the diet. This evidence shows me that it is not the fluoridation of water that is the problem, but may be due to something else.
Under normal conditions, a person shouldn't have any problem with toxicity of fluoride. The risk of toxicity comes from children who constantly swallow their toothpaste (remember fluoride is almost 100% absorbed under this condition). Drinking excessive amounts of soft drinks, which are very high in phosphate (remember from earlier that phosphate increases the absorption of fluoride) increases your risk for fluorosis. High amounts of soft drinks and low amounts of calcium-rich beverages (again, remember that calcium decreases the absorption of fluoride) like milk & fortified juices can be a big attribute to the prevalence of fluorosis. As parents, healthcare providers or caretakers, we should focus more attention on safe tooth brushing and healthy eating habits; instead of pointing the finger at other people. I was pretty convinced by the fluoride free NRV website, but after doing my own research I found that there is much more to this problem than meets the eye.
Water fluoridation is not the primary cause of fluorosis in our country. An increase in dental fluorosis could be attributed to a huge increase in colas and decrease in calcium-rich beverages. This type of correlation cannot prove causation; it can only give insight to a problem. Yes, there can be a problem of toxicity of fluoride just like many other minerals. Take sodium for example; human bodies need a certain amount of it in our diet to help with muscle contraction, nerve conduction and to maintain fluid balance. Too much sodium and you can become hypertensive; thus increasing your risk of having a stroke, heart attack or aneurysm. Too little sodium can cause you to have muscle cramps, dizziness and weakness. This just goes to show you that our bodies need a balanced amount of minerals. Too much or too little of something good can be detrimental. So, before you jump on the bandwagon of a hot topic/issue make sure to look at the whole picture.
