It’s time to reconsider the safety and necessity of water fluoridation, which was once the greatest discovery of all time but is now a major health concern.
Water fluoridation was once hailed as a magical solution to prevent cavities and promote healthy teeth. But now, as more research emerges, experts are questioning the risks and benefits of adding fluoride to our water supply.
Fluoridation rapidly gained popularity in the early 20th century due to the discovery of lower cavity rates. But here’s the catch: the early studies that supported the use of fluoridated water didn’t take into account the widespread use of fluoride products, such as toothpaste, which may have skewed the results. Despite the fact that sales of fluoridated toothpaste increased while cavity rates dropped, it still remained in our tap water.
In fact, a large report showed little differences in tooth decay between fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries. Even in low-income populations where fluoridation has existed for decades, tooth decay remains a persistent problem.
Consuming too much fluoride can result in severe health issues. Fluoride toxicity, for example, can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms like nausea, pain, vomiting, and muscle paralysis. And if fluoride builds up in your bones, it can lead to skeletal fluorosis. This condition mimics symptoms of other bone disease, including joint pain, stiffness, and bone fractures. Similarities like this can make it challenging to correctly diagnose skeletal fluorosis.
But it’s not just our bones and muscles that are at risk. An increasing number of studies suggests that fluoride may be toxic to the brain. This concern has prompted a group of nonprofit organizations and individuals to petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to end the use of water fluoridation. Their main concern is the substantial amount of evidence suggesting that exposure to fluoride is related to lower IQ. This is especially concerning for vulnerable populations such as infants, as it could have long-term consequences for their cognitive development.
If you are interested to learn more about legal actions on this matter, you can attend a court hearing on it scheduled for April 11, 2023. The zoom link to join the hearing is provided too.
Conclusion: The risks fluoride poses are enough reason to question its addition to our drinking water. More on this subject in the upcoming editions.
Lauren Dunn
MIS researcher and writer
