Fluoride in Water

Water Fluoridation

Fluoride (F+) is a common constituent of many minerals and elements. Municipal water facilities commonly add fluoride to drinking water for prevention of tooth decay, and maintain a level of 1.5 - 2.5 mg/l. Concentrations above 5 mg/l of fluoride in water are detrimental to tooth structure. High concentrations of Fluoride are contained in waste water from the manufacture of glass and steel, as well as from foundry operations. Organic fluorine is present in vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Inorganic fluorine, under the name of sodium fluoride, is a waste product of aluminum and is used in some rat poisons. The MCL established guidelines for drinking water by the US EPA is 4 mg/l. See the below water treatment options to reduce and filter fluoride from tap water.

Fluoride Tap Water New Research

Now the scientific evidence is supporting a different conclusion, that too much fluoride is causing problems to the very thing it is supposed to protect your teeth. In the new report, health officials are now saying that getting too much of it causes spots on some kids' teeth. The study found about 2 out of 5 teen aged kids have tooth streaking or spottiness because of too much fluoride. In some extreme cases where very high levels of fluoride in tap water are found, a person's teeth can even be pitted by the mineral, something dentists have stated to notice. According to data collected by the CDC, about 23% of children ages 12-15 had fluorosis in a study conducted in 1986 and 1987. The percent of kids rose to 41% in the more recent study, which covered the years 1999 through 2004.

Systems to Filter Fluoride Water

Reduction, removal, and filtering of fluoride from tap water can be reduced by anion exchange. Adsorption by calcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide or activated carbon will also reduce fluoride in drinking water. Reverse osmosis water systems will filter out 93 - 95 % of the fluoride in tap water.