Fluoride is a salt compound that is formed when fluorine combines with minerals commonly found in soil or rocks. It is often added to drinking water by suppliers to promote dental health by preventing cavities and tooth decay.
Fluoridation, or the adding of fluoride into water, is considered to be one of the greatest achievements in public health. However, recent studies have raised concerns regarding the actual benefits and the risks carried by adding fluoride in the water.
It has been found out that exposure to excessive consumption of fluoride may lead to an increased likelihood of bone fractures in adults and may result in effects on bone leading to pain and tenderness. Many children aged 8 years and younger who are exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride have a higher chance of developing pits in the tooth enamel and other types of cosmetic defects to the teeth. This has led to some countries ceasing fluoridation of public water.
A main issue with the fluoridation of water is that its dosage cannot be precisely controlled and is in the form of a compulsory medication that leaves the masses without choice. Aside from potential negative effects, it violates the independence of people based on uncertain evidence.
Those who are concerned about the presence of fluoride in their water can have a water sample tested in a laboratory to confirm its presence. Fluoride can be removed from the water with the use of a water filtration system that uses distillation or reverse osmosis.
Aside from fluoridation of public water, fluoride can also get into private well water from natural deposits of fluoride salts in the ground that gets dissolved easily by moving groundwater.
