A lot of prospective home filtration buyers are looking for a system that can remove unsafe levels of fluoride from their drinking water. If you’re in the same boat, you might be wondering what fluoride actually is, why it’s used, and its associated dangers, so you can make a better-informed decision as to whether you wish to remove fluoride from your drinking water.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many places, including certain foods and drinks, in our natural environment through rocks, plants, and soil, and also in our own bodies, in our bones and teeth.
Every day, we add and lose vital minerals in the enamel on our teeth. Acids, formed from sugars and plaque bacteria, attack the enamel and cause demineralisation, while minerals such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride remineralise the enamel.
Too much demineralisation—without enough remineralisation—leads to tooth decay. However, there’s also a strong argument to suggest the opposite is true, and that too much remineralisation can also cause the same problems. This is where the fears around fluoride enter the equation.
What is Fluoride Used For?
Across many countries, including Australia, fluoride is added to the water supply through “community water fluoridation”. The goal is to safely reduce tooth decay throughout the population, and it seems to be working; since Australian water fluoridation began in the 1970s, Australians now have roughly half the level of tooth decay.
While this all sounds positive, the concern is that once fluoride has been added to the water supply, it’s almost impossible to control how much fluoride each individual person is exposed to—regardless of their weight, health, age, and specific dental needs.
When you add in the fact that fluoride is used in most standard over-the-counter dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash and in higher doses in prescription mouth rinses for those susceptible to tooth decay, it becomes clear how easy it is to overconsume fluoride.
What Are the Dangers of Fluoride?
While many studies suggest fluoride is safe, there is also a compelling number of studies that suggest the opposite is true, particularly when people—especially children—are regularly exposed to too much fluoride.
Some of these reports suggest that too much fluoride can cause serious health issues, including neurological problems, high blood pressure, thyroid issues and skeletal weakness (causing brittle, broken bones). Other studies suggest fluoride may be hurting the environment, with so much of our water being flushed down the drain. For that reason, there are many organisations around the world who are campaigning against fluoride being added to our water systems—or at least for measures to be introduced that allow greater levels of control over fluoride exposure.
Which Water Filters Remove Fluoride?
If you’re concerned about fluoride and want to remove it from your drinking water, a home water filter is the most affordable and effective way to do this. However, not all water filters are equal, and many common portable filters won’t be effective—so that rules out the likes of the common filters from Brita and Pur.
To remove fluoride from your home water system, you need a reverse osmosis system—which is an incredibly effective three-stage filter system.
First, a pre-filter removes any chlorine and sediment. The water then passes through a semipermeable membrane which removes any solids. Once the water has passed through the membrane, it’s forced through a postfilter, which cleans the drinking water before reaching your taps. With so many layers of filtration, each designed for certain contaminants, Reverse Osmosis systems will remove pretty much everything, including fluorides, salts, hormones, and pharmaceuticals.
While some are concerned about natural minerals in your water, Complete Home Filtration offers the best of both worlds in one system—so you get the added benefits of keeping your vital natural minerals while still getting the contaminant-free purity only possible with reverse osmosis.
To find out how our Complete Home Filtration System can transform your health, and your home, contact our friendly sales team today.
