Fluoride in water, salt, toothpaste: beneficial or harmful to health?

 Sunday, January 5, 2025

Islamabad (UrduPoint News Today/ Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2025 ) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is going to be the next US Secretary of Health. In a social media post before the US election, Kennedy announced that if Donald Trump is re-elected president, fluoride will be eliminated from America's water. According to him, fluoride is an industrial waste that causes bone cancer, neurological diseases, developmental problems, low IQ in children and other health problems.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a chemical compound obtained from hydrofluoric acid. It is found in various minerals and in the human body, especially in the surface of bones and teeth (enamel). In addition, some amount of it is also found in the blood and stomach.

This fluoride is also present in black and green tea, fish, and 'asparagus' eaten as a vegetable.

In Germany, fluoride is added to toothpaste and salt, while in many other countries, including the United States, it is also added to drinking water.

Why is fluoride important?

In the early 20th century, scientists observed that in areas of the United States where the water had a high fluoride content, children had significantly fewer cavities.

After this discovery, the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water began in other areas, which continues to this day.

According to toxicologist Carsten Schließ, “Fluoride in a certain amount is beneficial for dental health.”

Fluoride is considered a cheap and effective treatment for dental problems worldwide.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the use of fluoride to be beneficial for public health.

Is fluoride harmful to health?

According to Carsten Schließ, the health effects of fluoride depend on its amount.

Overdosing on fluoride through toothpaste is almost impossible because it is usually spat out rather than swallowed.

However, the situation is different if fluoride is added to drinking water or salt. According to the CDC, 0.7 milligrams of fluoride is added to each liter of water. This amount of fluoride is consistent with the daily intake recommended by a public health agency in Germany for children aged one to four years.

If adults consume more than 3.8 milligrams of fluoride per day, it can be harmful to their health.

Too much fluoride can cause white spots on children's teeth, which is called "fluorosis," while too much fluoride can also cause teeth to turn brown.

Long-term exposure to more than 10 to 25 milligrams of fluoride per day can cause bone fractures and joint pain. While long-term daily use of 300 to 600 mg of fluoride can also damage the kidneys.

Effects on child development

According to a 2023 research analysis, the CDC's recommended amount of fluoride can actually have negative effects on brain development and mental abilities in children.

However, according to another research analysis, a decrease in IQ only occurs if something contains more fluoride than the recommended amount.

Based on the available evidence, it is not possible to say whether fluoride causes neurological diseases.

According to Carsten Schleh, if fluoride were removed from drinking water in the United States, there is no possibility of a decrease in neurological diseases. However, this could result in an increase in cavities in the teeth of children and adults.