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If you’ve heard any of the controversy over Fluoride safety, you’re probably as confused as I was on whether or not it is safe to drink it in your water or brush with it in your toothpaste. I hope this post will help you figure it all out.
NOTE: links to the natural toothpaste we use are below.
Guess who was first?
I came across a piece of very interesting information recently as I was doing more research for this post. According to the National Cancer Institute, the first city to implement community water fluoridation in the U.S. was right here – Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945. “By 1992, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population served by public water systems had access to fluoridated water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers fluoridation of water one of the greatest achievements in public health in the 20th century.” (It’s no surprise that I disagree with the CDC on this, too. WARNING: I’m going off topic for a little whining…the fact that one day they’ll insist on which vaccines our kids “must” have before they start school – the first shot given to newborns still in the hospital – and the next day one of those very immunizations are pulled from the market for safety concerns…don’t get me going! I’ll save that topic for another post…)
The same plan as always: hear me out, then you decide
The topic of Fluoride safety is just like so many others, there are heated debates from both sides. I’ll do what I always do: explain how and why I came to my conclusions, and you can take it from there.
Is Fluoride a good thing?
You don’t have to go far to find the many arguments “for” the benefits of Fluoride, just ask your doctor or dentist for starters. Recently I spoke to an orthodontist and asked his opinion, I wasn’t surprised that he agreed with conventional thinking on the topic. He told me that since this area began community-wide water Fluoridation, tooth decay has decreased significantly. He also said he notices a definite difference in those with well water vs. city water, although he did say some patients come in who drink well water and have teeth that still look great. “They must really brush well”, he said. I asked if he didn’t think good nutrition (less refined and processed foods, etc.) might play a role along with genetics. He agreed that both were probably true. (I also asked him if he’s heard of Weston Price. He thought the name sounded familiar…a good start anyway.) Most dentists agree that Fluoride can be dangerous in higher amounts and remind us not to swallow our toothpaste, but they say the amount we’re getting in our drinking water is at a safe level.
Or is Fluoride a bad thing?
For the opposite side of the debate, ample arguments “against” Fluoride can be found by doing a Google search with the words, “Fluoride safety“. Here you’ll read about those who want it taken back out of our drinking water and about the evidence linking Fluoride with many health issues. (Thyroid dysfunction, increase in bone fractures, arthritis, bone cancer, nervous system disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and attention deficit disorder-ADD.) Read the links below for more information.
The bottom line for our family
Just as the author in this article so clearly stated in his conclusions, it is nearly impossible to figure out who is right. Although dentists aren’t convinced of the harm Fluoride can do and feel the benefits outweigh the risks, there is enough evidence for me to seriously doubt its safety. Once again, I had to use my criteria for getting to the truth. I asked, “What is more natural?” Adding something to water that doesn’t naturally occur there in the first place doesn’t sound natural to me. So here’s where we came down on the subject: we got rid of it.
- We use natural Fluoride-free toothpaste – see links below
- We got a new whole-house water system to be sure we weren’t drinking Fluoride (or Chlorine)
- We don’t get Fluoride rinses at the dentist’s office
Of course, as you know by now, we try to eat nutritious meals and we brush twice a day – most days anyway! So far no one has had any dental problems (hopefully this continues) and I feel better knowing we’re not ingesting something that could be harmful to our bodies. I hope you’ll take the time to read a little bit more on the topic below and decide for yourself.
THE PRODUCTS WE USE:
- Tom’s of Maine Natural Antiplaque Toothpaste, Cinnamint (Note: I buy our toothpaste through here for $3-4/tube because I can’t find the flavors our family likes at local stores. However, a friend told me that she gets other flavors at wholesale stores for only $2.50.)
- Tom’s of Maine Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste For Children, Silly Strawberry
- We also get aluminum-free deodorant through here: Tom’s of Maine Natural Long-Lasting Deodorant Stick, Unscented. (They also have Fluoride-free mouthwash you can get at that same link.)
- Jason Enzyme Brightening Gel Toothpaste, Peppermint:
no flouride, no sulfates, no propylene glycol, no saccharin, no animal testing,no animal by-products. Through this link you can also search for different flavors.
- Jason Natural Cosmetics Healthy Mouth, All-Natural Tea Tree Toothpaste, Tea Tree & Cinnamon
– (also w/out the ingredients listed above)
- A listing of the amounts of naturally occurring Fluoride found in various foods (page 12)
- You’ve got to read this recent Reuters article on Fluoride safety
- Scroll down at this post for more on Drinking water and Fluoride safety
- I was told this is a great book on the topic: The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson
- Questions on the safety of mixing baby formula with Fluoridated water
- What really causes tooth decay?
- Interesting post on tooth enamel regeneration
MORE POSTS:
- My Dark Secrets
- Are supplements necessary for good health?
- All sea salts are not the same
- Eating healthy without sacrifices
- Take your cod liver oil!
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Take Action to End Fluoridation
Online Petition to End Fluoridation and call for a Congressional Hearing
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2477/t/2782/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=21960
Sponsored by the Fluoride Action Network http://FluorideAction.Net
Kelly,
Which water filtration system did you get? I am researching this and trying to figure out which one to buy.
Also, I have read that it is not good to use toothpaste containing added glycerin. I used to use Tom’s of Maine, too — until I found out about the glycerin issue. Apparently added glycerin creates a very glue-like sticky substance which is very hard to get off the teeth (notice how hard it is to get off of your sink!).
I have read that toothpastes containing added glycerin do not allow the teeth to remineralize.
I have recently switched to Tooth Soap:
http://www.perfect-prescription.com/
It is also fluoride free.
You can also brush with Dr. Bronner’s soap (although I don’t like the taste) or just water and sea salt. The sea salt is really good because of the minerals. I use baking soda once a week or so to brighten my teeth.
Ann Marie
Hi Ann Marie,
How nice to know your name now! (I couldn’t find it on your site, but was pressed for time the day I tried…)
Great comments, again!
We got a Reverse Osmosis system, but if we had to do it over, I think I’d look into some other type of filter that takes out the bad, but leaves in the minerals. (RO water takes out EVERYTHING except H2O.) I would start by researching at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com and go from there.
Thanks for the info on glycerin in toothpaste! Tomorrow while my son naps, I’ll try to do some more research on that and post what I find here as a comment. (First I need to get Friday’s post ready, so I’m not sure if I’ll get to it, soon though.)
I appreciate your comments!
Thanks, Kelly
Update on the glycerin issue: I found this on the Tom’s of Maine site: http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/ifs/glycerin.asp
I tried searching for other information on the topic (that wasn’t from someone selling a product with it), but didn’t find much. After reading where Tom’s said their glycerin is derived from, I feel OK about it, so we’ll just stick with Tom’s.
I just want to add the Tom’s of Maine Cinnamint is the BEST flavor and gets sudsier than the other natural toothpastes I have tried. I’ve tried a handful of other ones. It will be my only toothpaste from now on. Thanks Kelly!
Kelly,
First I want to say that I LOVE your site and really enjoy getting you blog updates in my email. It always gives me so much to think about!
I would like to point out that the Tom’s brand of toothpaste always contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which as far as I have researched is just a toxic sludge often added to shampoos and other products as a cheap sudsing agent. The best toothpaste I have found is Jason brand Healthy Mouth. Hope that helps!
Hi Anna,
I just checked our Tom’s toothpastes and it said that the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is derived from coconut oil, is that still bad? Sounds good to me, but I haven’t researched that specifically.
Kelly
Dangers of SLS: http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html
Tom’s also uses propylene glycol in their deodorant. Propylene glycol is a form of antifreeze! And they say it’s safe on their website.
I have still been using their toothpaste from time to time… I haven’t noticed a huge change in my teeth whether I use that or Tooth Soap. So I’m not sure if the glycerin makes a difference or not.
My teeth are healthy and strong — ever since I switched to a traditional foods diet, regardless of what kind of tooth paste I use.
That said, it’s probably smart to avoid SLS and propylene glycol, and of course fluoride. I just can’t say that I’m always good about avoiding all of this junk. I do try!
Not sure if that link went through:
http://tinyurl.com/ds9o
Unfortunately Tom’s of Maine is now owned by coca-cola.
http://geari.blogspot.com/2009/03/burts-bees-toms-of-maine-naked-juice.html
http://www.caringconsumer.com/cosmetics_bodyshop.asp
Liz’s last blog post..From Scratch
FYI: I just added some links to Jason brand toothpastes that have no Fluoride OR SLS.
Kelly
Just to be accurate, fluoride CAN be naturally found in water, and some communities have to de-fluoridate their water to get it to safe levels.
Hi Kelly,
We have recently began digging into all the info out there on whole diets, and I have been absorbing all this info like a sponge! I love cheeseslave’s blog, and found yours through her…and was surprised and excited to find out that you live in Grand Rapids! We are on the Northwest side. We recently started buying our milk from Grassfield’s farm in Coopersville. That was the catalyst for our change in diet. Thank you so much for all your information! Is there anywhere local you can buy kefir grains or kombucha scobies? You can e-mail me directly also! Thanks again!
Hi Lora! Maybe we’ll run into each other someday at a Weston Price chapter meeting?!
Sorry I don’t know about a local source for kefir grains or scobies because I get all mine from Cultures for Health (kefir grains anyway, I don’t make kombucha much anymore, we like kefir soda better): http://kellythekitchenkop.com/resources#starters
But if you come to the chapter meetings, that’s a good place to ask those questions!
Kelly
Our dentist is always pushing fluoride treatments and telling us to drink tap water! I think she’s full of crap and she’s the only dentist who’s been so pushy about telling us to drink tap water. I have bought bottled water and filtered water for years. Probably the last 18 years. My kids grew up drinking that along with us and have wonderful strong teeth with no cavities. They are grown adults now with nice teeth and no mercury fillings. Even though the PROOF is right there under her nose she still feels the need to lecture us each time we go in. We haven’t been going to her very long and we won’t be going back there in the future. I think it’s disgusting to push fluoride on patients and make them feel that they are idiots for not going with the ignorant and dangerous flow! UGH We’re obviously doing something right is our kids grew up with healthy teeth!
Kelly,
I recently switched to an alternative, homemade toothpaste. I found a recipe online that I am sure you are familiar with, involving coconut oil, olive oil, Dr. Bronner’s and essential oils for flavoring (and Stevia). I tried it, but we live in a chilly land here. I had put it in dropper bottles and after it assumed room temperature, I couldn’t get it out. Plus, it didn’t suds, and was difficult to remove from the sink. Also, I just didn’t like it all that well. My mom uses some tooth soap that she buys online for $20 for a tiny dropper bottle. It lasts a while, but I am more frugal than that.
So I adjusted the recipe I found online and came up with something wonderful. Unfortunately, I didn’t write it down. As I recall, the original recipe called for 5 T coconut oil, 1 T each olive oil & Dr. Bronners, and a few drops of essential oils for flavoring. Yay that I took chemistry in high school, and am an accomplished cook, for I know that it just needed more oil and soap.
I *think* I used approximately 3 T coconut oil, 3 T olive oil and 2 T Dr. Bronners, plus mint flavoring until I could stand it. The other recipe calls for Stevia, but I just did without. It turned out beautifully. I melted the coconut oil and added the other ingredients, and stirred vigorously. It turned out white, and had a syrupy consistency. I put it in a container (a dropper would work, but of course, mine are clogged and unusable), and dip my toothbrush in it. It works great, it sudses, it clears easily from the sink, and tastes…okay. It tastes lightly soapy, but it’s not unbearable, unless you’re emotionally scarred from childhood.
It takes some getting used to, and I am an adult, but perhaps if you allow your children to flavor their own, they might find something they can stand. I am very happy with the results and I have been using it for about two months. In addition, it was very cheap to make. Far cheaper than toothpaste, even with the price of coconut oil these days.
I must be emotionally scarred from childhood then because I could NOT handle the taste of that stuff! I could gag right now if I thought about it very long. I’m not a wimp either, I take my liquid CLO after all!
I really like my toothpaste: Aurevedic formula takes only a small amount.
Brand: auromere herbal toothpast comes 4.16 oz tastes a bit like licorice.
It contains fine chalk (a gentle cleaner), glycerine from vegetable oil, purified water, herbal extract blend: (Peelu (Salvadora persica) Neem (Azodirachta), Indian Licorice Root, Pomegranate rind, Common Jujube, Rose Apple, Clove, Persian Walnut, Barleria prinoitis bark (Vajradanti), Indian Almond, Bedda Nut, Asian Holly Oak, Prickly Ash, Zanthaxylum alatum (Tejibal), Sappan wood, Catechu, Bengal Madder, Acacaia arabica bark (Babil), Sasaparrilla, Cinnamon, Medlar bark, Mayweed, Bishop’s weed (flower extract), Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate from INDIAN COCONUT OIL< Carageenan from seaweed, Cellulose gum from plants, Clove oil, Peppermint oil, Spearmint oil, Eucalyptus oil, Menthol, thymol, Aethhol, Geranium extract. If you are interested you can look at their website.. I get mine from a food coop a friend does, but I was really worried when for a while the coop discontinued the toothpaste. I had purchased a case, I alone use it, husband does not like licorice taste and won't try it, and thankfully it lasted for me the year or two when it was not available from the coop. One day I thought to yahoo it and found they had it online too.
http://www.auromere.com Hope this helps you.
Kay F