Even though a small amount of fluoride in water can actually be good for dental health, this compound in drinking water is not always wanted; this could be the case for persons sensitive for this substance. So, does boiling your water remove fluoride at all?
The short answer to this question is that you cannot remove fluoride from drinking water by boiling. Boiling will actually have an adverse effect; it will cause a more concentrated form of fluoride called fluorine salt.
Since boiling is not advised to remove fluoride from water, let’s take a closer look at some of the methods that can be effective.
Table of Contents
- Is Fluoride Bad For You?
- How To Remove Fluoride From Drinking Water?
- Is A Reverse Osmosis System Expensive?
- How Can I Further Reduce Exposure To Fluoride?
- Don’t Ban All Fluoride From Your Life
Is Fluoride Bad For You?
This is a topic of debate among may scientists out there. Governments started to add fluoride to the drinking water in the 1940?s, but people are now wondering if this method is outdated. There are several reasons for them to believe this:
- Toxic properties of fluoride in low doses
- Poor control of fluoride levels in drinking water
- Too much fluoride in children?s diets
- Harmful for the environment
- Increased risk of hypothyroidism
How To Remove Fluoride From Drinking Water?
There are various methods that can be used to remove fluoride from drinking water. One of the methods is so-called reversed osmosis. Reversed osmosis, also referred to as RO, is able to remove up to 92% of all fluoride in drinking water.
The principle of reverse osmosis is quite straightforward. It basically uses water pressure to push drinking water through filtration, which is a semipermeable membrane. Water will also pass through at least two additional filters called the sediment and the carbon filter.
In addition to fluoride, reverse osmosis filtration actually removes more harmful compounds and contaminants; this may include but is not limited to cadmium, lead, detergent, chlorine, sulfates, pesticides and asbestos.
Is A Reverse Osmosis System Expensive?
Reverse osmosis filtration is actually surprisingly affordable. You do not need lots of space for such a filtration system either, as most RO systems can be installed under the kitchen sink. Of course, there are more elaborate options out there, which can be installed for your entire home. So, if you want fluoride removed from the water throughout the home, then a bigger system might be the better solution.
In general, you will not pay more than 300 dollars for an osmosis system. That being said, it can be subject to the complexity of the system and how much of your home?s water supply you want to remove fluoride from.
How Can I Further Reduce Exposure To Fluoride?
Since there are other places where you can find fluoride these days, it is important to be informed about the main sources. Let’s take a closer look at some of the additional things you can do to avoid fluoride consumption.
Toothpaste alternatives
One of the most common places where you will find fluoride is in commercial toothpaste. Even though fluoride has shown to protect the enamel of your teeth, it does not provide a solution for anyone who has a sensitivity to the compound.
There are some alternatives to regular toothpaste these days, and you will find them at health food stores. That being said, most dentists will recommend using fluoride toothpaste from time to time, as it does protect your teeth against premature damage.
Baby formula
When you make formula with tap water, you could end up with a lot of fluoride in it. On the other hand, most types of bottled water contain too much sodium, which means they cannot be used for formula either. To avoid fluoride and sodium, used bottled water that contains safe levels of these compounds.
Tea
This may surprise many people, but many types of black and green tea contain higher levels of fluoride. If you are sensitive to fluoride, it is important to look for alternatives.
Soda
Many soda brands also put fluoride in their drinks. This is often unintentional, as fluorinated tap water is used to produce these drinks. So, you will find that many soda drinks have similar levels of fluoride compared to tap water.
Mechanically processed poultry
Chicken where the bones have been removed mechanically can be handy for a quick meal, but they have shown to contain elevated levels of fluoride too. The reason for the higher levels of fluoride is the presence of ground bone particles inside the chicken, which naturally contain more fluoride.
Medication
Yes, even medication can contain fluoride and fluorine. People who are sensitive to this compound are not always aware of this, so the tablets that should be making them better are making them worse. If you believe your medication may contain fluoride or fluorine, speak to your doctor for a more suitable alternative.
Anesthetic
Surprise! Even the anesthetic used during surgery may contain fluoride. Common anesthetics that are known to contain high levels of fluoride ? which remain in the body for a full day ? include Enflurane, Sevoflurane, and Isoflurane. Nowadays, you can request an anesthetic without fluoride.
Don’t Ban All Fluoride From Your Life
Even though fluoride has obtained a bit of a bad reputation, fluoride still has important functions. It is a mineral that is naturally found in bones and teeth, so it does protect some vital parts of your body. It has the ability to rebuild weakened enamel, but also reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. So, only reduce fluoride intake if you believe you suffer from related side-effects.
