The Battle of Fluoride on the Developing Brain
October 23, 2020
Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in water sources. It’s also commonly added to dental care products with the intent to prevent cavities. However, the risks of swallowing too much fluoride are evident and have significant impacts on our children’s brain development.
It’s one of the most polarized and controversial debates of our time – fluoridation of our drinking water and rightfully so since the most recent studies are finding Flouride toxic to children’s vulnerable developing brains. Other variables of over absorption include permanent tooth discoloration, rashes on the skin, glucose impairment, and stomach disorders. These are just a few troubling signs of Flouride toxicity showing up in the body and will often go undiagnosed or mistreated due to the symptoms mimicking other common illnesses.
Recently, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) released an official review of published studies that evaluated fluoride’s potential neurotoxicity, and the evidence was clear: “fluoride is presumed to be a cognitive-developmental hazard to humans.”
Studies showed that children with exposure to higher amounts of fluoride while their brains were still within the early stages of development resulted in 2 to 7 points less on their IQ results. These numbers are devastating and do not warrant the slight benefits of preventing tooth decay that can be more effective through the simple task of limiting sugar consumption, proper oral hygiene habits of brushing and flossing, and regular visits to your dentist.
But how do we protect our most vulnerable from something that’s naturally found (and sometimes added) into our water and dental health products? Luckily there are a few resources available that pregnant women and parents can use to reduce fluoride intake:
- Purchase faucet-mounted filters for your home. Some filters are capable of removing up to 80 different types of water contaminants, including fluoride.
- Invest in a fluoride filtered BPA-free water bottle that can filter out organic/inorganic contaminants and micro-organisms on the go.
- Research and purchase fluoride-free products for your home, including toothpaste and mouth rinses.
- A simple, cost-effective and natural way to help eliminate fluoride from water can be done with the Tulsi Plant (aka Holy Basil). Soak 75mg of Tulsi leaves and stems (fresh or dry) in 100ml of fluoridated water for a minimum of 8 hours, which will reduce 80% of the toxic fluoride contaminants and result in a safer level of consumption.
With the mounting evidence against fluoride, Health First Dental does not use fluoride as part of our preventative maintenance, and our philosophy ensures that your health always comes first.
Resources: Environmental Health News; National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine