I remember our first pediatrician back home fondly. Maybe because he was MY doctor when I was little and I thought it was awesome that I now visited him with my own child. He had the doctor look ~ his spectacles hanging over his nose as he talked with me and the bow tie neatly sitting at his neck. The one thing he never failed to ask me at each appointment was Are they Drinking Water with Fluoride in it? Those early years, I eagerly replied Yes! Then, when we started filtering I would gently nod my head because technically we were. Our filtered water did not take out fluoride. If he asked me this question today, I would have to say NO! We have had a Big Berkey Water Filter in our home for a couple of years now and couldn’t live without it! Take that fluoride away.

Fluoride is a pollutant – a by-product of copper, iron and aluminum manufacturing. The problem of how to legally dispose of fluoride was solved in the 1930′s when a study (funded by one of the country’s largest aluminum companies) concluded that fluoride prevented tooth decay. A successful public relations effort, helped along with some cooperative government cronies, resulted in the good news going out: this miracle chemical, when added to water supplies, will give everyone healthy teeth and brighter smiles*. Here are some quick facts about fluoride…

• fluoride is one of the most toxic substances on earth, on par with arsenic and lead
• It has no proven biological use inside the human body (teeth included).
• Approximately 50% of the fluorine ingested, remains and accumulates in the body
• Boiling water for soup, coffee, tea or other drink, only concentrates fluoride

Gross! Fluoride is a poison – in certain forms it may kill the bacteria in your mouth and this is why it is found in toothpaste. This still doesn’t mean it’s ‘good’. There are many other safer alternatives to keeping your teeth and gums clean! We’ll have to chat about those in another post.

Have you thought about the fluoride issue?

*Global Healing Center

~Courtney – Crunchy Beach Mama

Courtney is an eco-friendly review blogger who loves showing off new products and ideas on how to Be Green and Live Healthy. She lives on the coast with her 3 boys who keep her busy and teach her how to live life to the fullest. Visit her at www.CrunchyBeachMama.com.