How harmful are fluoride compounds to health, really?

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what fluoride really does to your health? Is fluoride a danger, or is it only a blessing? Fluoride occurs naturally in food and water, but it is also added to products such as toothpaste, salt and, again, water. This article focuses mainly on the possible side effects of fluoride and the amounts at which they may occur.

For more information, I recommend my article about the dangers of tap water.

Contents

1. What exactly is fluoride?
2. What does the WHO say about fluoride?
3. Side effects and dangers of fluoride
4. How much fluoride per day is healthy or dangerous?
5. The pineal gland and fluoride
6. How can you consume less fluoride?
7. Conclusion

1. What exactly is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs in nature and is found naturally in foods, for example. However, it is also used to enrich tap water and foods, as well as toothpaste, which is probably how most people know it.

It strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to tooth decay.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

But here is the downside: this mineral also does other things in our bodies.

So the question is: how much fluoride is actually good for us?

2. What does the WHO say about fluoride?

A typical toothpaste contains between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm fluoride. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste weighs about 0.25 g. At a concentration of 1,450 ppm, that amount contains about 0.36 mg of fluoride.

Interesting, isn't it? 

However, adults should keep their daily intake below 1.5 mg/L and 10 mg in total to avoid negative effects such as fluorosis. This is the official WHO guideline value.

But, as with caffeine, this is the absolute maximum. Other studies have found that concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/L could already be concerning.

3. Side effects and dangers of fluoride

Too much of a good thing can be harmful.

Fluorosis is discolouration of the teeth and only one sign of excessive fluoride intake. 

There can be more serious long-term effects.

Skeletal fluorosis affects the bones, causing pain and damage, making fractures more likely and sometimes changing the structure of the bones.

Studies have also found impaired thyroid function, which is responsible for regulating our hormones, and possible cognitive impairments in children.

4. The pineal gland and fluoride

A risk often discussed in connection with fluoride is possible impairment of the pineal gland.

The pineal gland is a small organ in the brain that plays an important role in regulating the sleep–wake cycle. It produces the hormone melatonin, which influences the body's day–night rhythm and therefore helps support healthy sleep.

The pineal gland also helps regulate some endocrine functions and plays a role in controlling sexual maturity.

There are discussions and studies suggesting that fluoride could affect the function of the pineal gland. The main concern is that fluoride may accumulate there and potentially impair its function.

Fluoride can accumulate in the pineal gland in crystalline form as calcium fluoride, which could theoretically affect melatonin production.

For example, a study by Jennifer Luke (1997) hypothesised that high fluoride intake could lead to increased fluoride accumulation in the pineal gland and might thereby impair melatonin production. This could in turn affect the sleep–wake cycle and other processes regulated by melatonin.

5. How much fluoride per day is healthy or dangerous?

Let's return to the maximum amount of fluoride per day. The WHO gives 10 mg per day, while the lowest values in studies are 0.5 mg/L. 

Usually, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. 

The Institute for national health, for example, gives 3–4 mg per day for adults.

3–4 mg sounds much more realistic than 0.5 or 10, especially when you consider the amounts in foods such as water, tea, coffee, potatoes, oats, meat and cheese.

Suppose you drink 2 litres of tap water, one coffee and one cup of tea a day. You will already have taken in about 2.3 mg of fluoride. Your food and the toothpaste you use morning and evening also contain fluoride.

You can easily reach 3–4 mg a day this way. However, it is difficult to take in much more than 4 mg per day.

6. How can you consume less fluoride?

The most important thing is to stay informed. Use fluoride mindfully, check the label on your toothpaste, and perhaps consider getting a water filter if your drinking water is fluoridated, which it effectively always is.

This can help you avoid artificial fluoride additives and take in fluoride only from natural sources.

7. Conclusion: how bad are fluorides for health really?

Ultimately, the decision is yours.

Excess fluoride appears to pose clear, demonstrable health risks. Avoiding artificial or added fluoride in water, salt, toothpaste and perhaps even food, and choosing naturally occurring fluoride instead, probably makes the most sense.

So use a water filter, salt and toothpaste without fluoride. This already helps you avoid the largest sources of artificial fluoride.