Fluoride levels should be lowered, says Health Canada

July 30, 2008 · Print This Article

A panel of experts working for Health Canada is recommending that the current levels of fluoride in water ingested by children and infants be lowered. The experts propose that Health Canada adopt a level of 0.7 mg/L as the optimal target for drinking water. However, the panel did note that the current maximum level of 1.5 mg/L is “unlikely to cause adverse health effects.” According to the panel, the new, lower level will balance the need for cavity protection with the risk of fluorosis, which can lead to pitting of the teeth from an overload of fluoride.

Fluoride is often added to tap water to reduce the risk of tooth decay. According to some environmental groups, like EWG, ingesting fluoride has little effect and fluoride is most effective

when applied directly to teeth via toothpaste or mouthwash. To read about the possible health hazards of fluoride ingestion see EWG’s write-up here.

For babies, whether you need to supplement or bottle feed with formula, manufacture certain you manufacture the formula with non-fluoridated water, according to the American Dental Association. With infants under the age of one, avoid those fluoridated nursery waters also. whether you’re not certain whether your tap water has fluoride, shout your water supplier. And be careful with in-fridge and pitcher filters; many are designed to leave the fluoride in the water.

To read more about dental fluorosis, see Fluoride watchful here.