Episode #34: Fluoride

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria delve into the highly controversial topic of fluoride, especially its use in public drinking water.

This is the most complex and multifaceted topic yet, and lots of ground gets covered in this slightly lengthy but super interesting episode.

They discuss:

* Some basic fluoride facts—what it is and why it’s currently up in public discourse

* Symptoms of fluorosis, aka excess fluoride exposure

* The history of fluoride in drinking water (it’s been controversial from the very beginning)

* The chemistry of fluoride (big thanks to chemist Kyle Carter!)

* Where the fluoride in our drinking water comes from

* Some brief discussion of the multitude of compounds intentionally added to municipal water

* The full-body impact of fluoride exposure—effects on the pineal gland, sleep, neurological, and cognitive effects

* Some popular claims about fluoride…can it be lethal?

* The difference between systemic and topical use of fluoride

* Other factors that can influence oral health

* Hannah’s fabulous recommendation to find a trusted water filter

Extra resources:

* The NSF chemical search page we shared during the episode

* EPA fluoride supply chain chart (where the fluoride in your water comes from)

* More on how the optimal levels in drinking water were determined

* The reintroduction of fluoride into Calgary, Canada’s water supply

* Evidence from archeological digs shows exposure to naturally occurring fluoride in human remains

* From one study we read: “The effect of fluoride is mainly achieved when applied topically, which is further enhanced when accompanied by good oral hygiene.”

* In this study, fluoride is described as a double-edged sword.

* The study Hannah shared on fluoride and the pineal gland

* Two studies (here and here) on fluoride and sleep

* Click here and here for information on fatalities connected to fluoride, as claimed in the podcast clip we shared: One child died after eating an unknown amount of fluoride-based insecticide. Otherwise…“Children who ingested up to 8.4 mg/kg of elemental fluoride in dental products had mild and self-limited symptoms, mostly gastrointestinal.”

* The study Hannah shared on the effectiveness of fluoride varnish

* Click here and here for information on fluoride toxicology and IQ: The determination about lower IQs in children was based primarily on epidemiology studies in non-U.S. countries such as Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico, where some pregnant women, infants, and children received total fluoride exposure amounts higher than 1.5 mg fluoride/L of drinking water. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends 0.7 mg/L, and the World Health Organization has set a safe limit for fluoride in drinking water of 1.5 mg/L.

* Research on the oral microbiome, second only to the gut in diversity and number of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.

* Vitamins that play a role in the prevention of cavities

* Vitamin D seems especially crucial

* Perhaps most importantly, what toxicants are more concerning than fluoride? PFAs, heavy metals, etc.

* Check your local drinking water here