Fluoride

There has been a lot of controversy over fluoride recently. In fact, there is no such thing as pure fluoride. A gas called fluorine is released from beneath the Earth's surface and attaches to the first solid element it finds. In nature, that is often calcium, making calcium fluoride. In 1939, Dr Trendley Dean claimed that in areas with naturally fluoridated water, there was a lowering of dental decay. However, under oath he later admitted that his data was invalid, by which time artificial water fluoridation had begun in the US. Much later, despite the damning research, it was adopted in parts of the UK.

The "fluorides" we find added to dental products and our water supply are actually by-products of the aluminium and phosphate fertiliser industry, called sodium fluoride and hexafluorosilicic acid - very little like the naturally occurring calcium fluoride. These chemicals are highly toxic and have been implicated in thyroid disease, bone disease and even cancer. In fact, it has been known for 80 years that fluoride causes iodine deficiency leading to hypothyroidism - noticeably on the rise. Hip fractures are also more prevalent in areas with fluoridated water. A study in France found 86% more fractures than in non-fluoridated areas. Significantly, most of Europe has rejected artificial water fluoridation.

In 1985, the UK government introduced a water fluoridation bill to allow hexafluorosilicic acid to be added to all UK water supplies. At the time only 165 MPs voted in favour of fluoridation, 82 voted against it and a staggering 399 MPs abstained, allowing the bill through by default. The British electorate was effectively disenfranchised that day. Many water companies refused to add the artificial chemicals, partly because of a fear of litigation from those made ill by hexafluorosilicic acid. A new amendment to the Fluoridation bill has recently been passed by parliament, forcing water companies to add artificial fluoride to our water supplies after local consultation. The water companies have been promised immunity from prosecution by members of the public.

We believe that adding a registered poison to the public water supply which has never been tested for safety, (yes, never!) is an infringement on human rights. It is mass medication without consent which is against medical ethics. No doctor would prescribe a medicine to someone whose medical history they did not know, at a dose determined by the patient’s thirst. See the National Pure Water Association for a huge amount of information and evidence about fluoride and its effect on health, by clicking

Fluorosis is the name for fluoride poisoning. Often it can be seen as blotches on children's teeth. There is no cure for this and the child needs to have expensive veneers over each tooth to hide the unsightly blotches –not available on the NHS. In India, where the water is naturally fluoridated due to wells being dug too deep, millions of children suffer from skeletal fluorosis, many of whom are severely crippled.

Therefore, those of us who live in artificially fluoridated areas should take extra care in the amount of fluoride we ingest. It can also be absorbed through the skin when taking a shower or bath. Tea contains a high level of fluoride and processed foods manufactured in fluoridated areas will add to the total intake.

There has been a great deal of concern, recently, about the levels of fluoride that babies ingest when they are bottle fed as their formula may be made up with boiled, fluoridated water. If the baby is having six plus bottles a day they may be ingesting more than the recommended safe daily intake for an adult. Infant formula made with fluoridated water at the recommended 1 part per million contains over 100 times more fluoride than breast milk. Mothers filter out any fluoride from their own bodies so it is unable to pass into their milk.

Extra care should be taken when brushing children’s teeth. Only a pea-sized amount is recommended. If a child ingests half a 100ml tube of toothpaste containing Sodium Fluoride, it could kill them. In the US there are compulsory warning labels on all toothpaste boxes which state:

WARNING: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN UNDER SIX YEARS OF AGE. IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE, SEEK PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE OR CONTACT A POISON CONTROL CENTER IMMEDIATELY

We use exactly the same formula but we are not warned of the dangers. Even your dentist or hygienist may be unaware of the actual source of the “fluoride” in toothpaste or the water.

One way of reducing our fluoride intake is to use a non-fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. There are a number available on the market but most of those also contain another potentially harmful chemical called Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

The safest and most effective ingredient that has been found to protect teeth is a substance called Anthium Dioxide or chlorine dioxide. This kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay without damaging the teeth or gums. It has been used to purify water in many European countries for years with no ill effects.

Healthy Choices supplies a toothpaste and mouthwash range endorsed by toxicologists and dentists which contains Anthium Dioxide but no Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. The benefits to users have been very encouraging. Click on Products to see our Dental Care Range.

If your water is artificially fluoridated and you wish to reduce your exposure to hexafluorosilicic acid, you may be interested in finding out about a Reverse Osmosis Filtration System. Reverse Osmosis is the only effective method of safely filtering out bacteria, viruses, and chemicals including hexafluorosilicic acid, which is currently available to consumers.