Fluoride, Teeth, and Bones
By
Linda F. Palmer, DC
Fluoride, like selenium, is a
trace element that varies in its availability in the soil
and water
in different areas of the world. Dental researchers have found
that higher levels of fluoride reduce the incidence of cavities
in children’s baby teeth. For this reason, many public
water systems around the country and around the world have added
fluoride
to the drinking water in an attempt to reduce dental caries.
Fluoride is added to most toothpaste and is applied in some
dental treatments
as well. Believing breastmilk to be low in fluoride, many pediatricians
and dentists are recommending fluoride supplements to breastfed
babies. However, since the installation of water fluoridation
and other measures beginning around 1950, the results of excess
fluoride have revealed themselves.
Today, fluoridation is all around
us, in 50% of U.S. drinking water, in 50% of bottled drinks, and
it gets into cows and soy and thus infant formulas. Although human
milk appears unaffected by the amount of fluoride ingested, concentrations
of fluoride in cow’s milk can be 20 to 70 times the level
found in breastmilk, depending on the level of fluoride contamination
from fertilizers and pesticides the cow is exposed to.26
This fluoride is concentrated in the milk for formulas as a result
of dehydration, and then more is added with the water used for
rehydration. Now nearly a quarter of all our children are showing
some signs of excess fluoride, or fluorosis.27,28
An early sign is altered formation and discoloration of teeth.
Fluorosis is marked in 5% of these children and very great in
some of those.
It is becoming increasingly apparent
that high fluoride levels damage bones.29
In Morocco, a nation with rich fluoride levels in their soil and
water, fluorosis is common. There, skeletal defects, such as knock
knees, and joint pains and teeth abnormalities are commonly seen.30
This damage can include wearing down of teeth, as well as deviation
of teeth and eventually cavities.
Moderate fluorosis, seen in some
heavy drinkers of fluoridated water, juice, or soda is associated
with mild teeth and bone malformations, possible nervous system
alterations, osteoporosis, and eventually kyphosis, the humped
upper-back. Gastrointestinal pain and damage can occur with established
fluorosis as well.31 Severe
fluorosis leads to misshapen major bones and other bony defects,
along with neurological problems. Development of severe fluorosis
is not likely except in children who especially like to swallow
toothpaste and have other high fluoride sources as well.
Excess fluoride, at the level considered
beneficial to teeth, causes detrimental changes in the mineralization
of bones.32 Fluoride replaces
magnesium in bones, making them harder. This hardness is partly
desirable in teeth, giving them extra defense against destructive
cavity-causing bacteria. But excess fluoride combines with available
calcium and together they leave the body, leaving less calcium
for bone (tensile) strength and density. Thus bones become hard,
in the sense of brittle, and at the same time there is deficient
bone calcium (osteoporosis), which leads to easy fractures.
The latest studies are suggesting
the benefit to children’s teeth from ingested fluoride (water
or supplements) is very small.33
The greatest benefits seem to be when fluoride comes into direct
contact with teeth, suggesting that small amounts of fluoridated
toothpaste, without swallowing it, would be the best choice for
cavity reduction.
Fluoride supplementation for children
is strongly associated with increased risk of fluorosis.34
Beyond supplementation, the major risk factors for fluorosis are
formula feeding, weaning before 9 months of age, and swallowing
toothpaste.35 Breastfeeding
to at least 6 months may even protect against fluorosis in the
permanent teeth.36 Breastfed
infants are not drinking fluoridated water and mother’s
milk provides a very consistent level of fluoride regardless of
the amount the mother ingests.37
A large body of evidence points against supplementing fluoride
for breastfed or other babies or older children, and it is no
longer recommended by researchers, even when levels in water are
low.38 Unfortunately, some
doctors continue to recommend it for breastfed kids.
Endnotes
26. D. Chlubek, “[Interaction
of fluoride with milk constituents],” Ann Acad Med Stetin
(Poland) 39 (1993): 23–38.
27. K.E. Heller et al.,
“Dental caries and dental fluorosis at varying water fluoride
concentrations,” J Public Health Dent 57, no. 3 (Summer
1997): 136–43.
28. D.J. Brothwell and
H. Limeback, “Fluorosis risk in grade 2 students residing
in a rural area with widely varying natural fluoride,”
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol (Canada) 27, no. 2 (Apr 1999):
130–6.
29. M. Diesendorf et al.,
“Aust N Z J Public Health (Australia) 21, no. 2 (Apr 1997):
187–90.
30. E.H. Abdennebi et al.,
“Human fluorosis in Morocco: analytical and clinical investigations,”
Vet Hum Toxicol (Morocco) 37 no. 5 (Oct 1995): 465–8.
31. S Dasarathy et al.,
“Gastroduodenal manifestations in patients with skeletal
fluorosis,” J Gastroenterol (India) 31, no. 3 (Jun 1996):
333–7.
32. P.K. DenBesten, “Biological
mechanisms of dental fluorosis relevant to the use of fluoride
supplements,” Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 27, no. 1
(Feb 1999): 41–7.
33. N.J. Wang and P.J.
Riordan, “Fluoride supplements and caries in a non-fluoridated
child population,” Community Dent Oral Epidemiol (Norway)
27, no. 2 (Apr 1999): 117–23.
34. A.I. Ismail and R.R.
Bandekar, “Fluoride supplements and fluorosis: a meta-analysis,”
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 27, no. 1 (Feb 1999): 48–56.
35. P.J. Riordan, “Dental
fluorosis, dental caries and fluoride exposure among 7-year-olds,”
Caries Res 27, no. 1 (1993): 71–7.
36. D.J. Brothwell and
H. Limeback, “Fluorosis risk in grade 2 students residing
in a rural area with widely varying natural fluoride,”
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol (Canada) 27, no. 2 (Apr 1999):
130–6.
37. C.J. Spak et al., “Fluoride
in human milk,” Acta Paediatr Scand 72, no. 5 (Sep 1983):
699–701.
38. P.J. Riordan, “The
place of fluoride supplements in caries prevention today,”
Aust Dent J (Australia) 41, no. 5 (Oct 1996): 335–42.
© Copyright 2002 Dr. Linda
Folden Palmer, All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.
Dr. Linda Folden
Palmer consults and lectures on natural infant health, optimal
child nutrition and attachment parenting. After running a successful
chiropractic practice focused on nutrition and women’s health
for more than a decade, Linda’s life became transformed
eight years ago by the birth of her son. Her research into his
particular health challenges led her to write Baby
Matters: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your
Baby. Extensively documented, this healthy parenting
bookpresents the scientific evidence behind attachment parenting
practices, supporting baby's immune system, preventing colic and
sparing drug usage. You can visit Linda’s web site at www.babyreference.com.
