FLUORIDE: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UNKNOWN

Fluoride is a substance at the centre of furious debate.

It’s a topic gone globally ramped. Government institutions, the general public, wellness enthusiasts and health professionals, all scratching their heads, trying to figure out the answer to this one notorious question: “What dangers can Fluoride consumption pose on human health?” People are generally confused; frozen between scientific evidence that concludes conflicting results, and the instructions from government authorities and related organisations who strongly endorse the consumption of fluoride in drinking water. When we visit the dentist and seek their honest advice about the subject, their personal opinion is monitored – seemingly ruled by government sanction.

What’s all the Fluoride commotion about anyway?

When referring to fluoride in its natural and undisturbed state, there’s not much to go on about at all.  All organisms require the presence of fluoride in order to prosper - humans, plants, animals and sea creatures alike. So when we come across it as nature presents it, the exposure to fluoride is usually beneficial – and when optimal levels are obtained, fluoride has been particularly shown to protect tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.

There are however, some exceptions to this rule. In certain corners of the world, naturally occurring fluoride in waterways are quite high, and numerous studies have been conducted on these populations (namely regions in China, Africa and India) to observe the health impacts of living with unavoidable elevated fluoride levels – the results of which have shown numerous and repeated adverse side effects.

Fluoride is found naturally in rock, soil, water, the air and in living organisms. It can also be released spontaneously via natural events such as volcanic emissions.

Human activity can disturb and expose natural deposits, increasing fluoride concentrations above normal environmental levels – mining, aluminium manufacturing, combustion of coal, and the use of phosphate fertilisers, are all common practices that contribute to the release of fluoride.

Human consumption of fluoride occurs via food (trace amounts usually), drinking water (naturally or when added for dental health), fluoridated milk, fluoridated salt, fluoride supplements, dentist fluoride treatments and products with ‘added’ fluoride such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Our principal intake of fluoride is through the consumption of food and water.

Concerns arise when Fluoride exposure exceeds ‘safe’ quantities - here are the facts:

1. Fluoride is toxic at high levels. We drink it in our water, our dentists apply it to our teeth, and we ingest it every day via our toothpaste and mouthwash. We can suffer Acute Toxicity (immediate poisoning) and Chronic Toxicity (caused by excessive fluoride exposure over longer periods of time).
2. High-level fluoride consumption at any ONE time can prompt ‘Acute Fluoride Poisoning’. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
3. Over-exposure to fluoride above optimal levels over a period of time, can cause what it known as ‘Fluorosis’; a condition that has been proven to affect the teeth and skeletal framework. Skeletal Fluorosis has been linked to heart disease, cancer, cognitive function, arthritis, osteoporosis and hypothyroidism. Dental Fluorosis causes tooth discolouration, and severe cases can often result in ‘mottled’ tooth enamel.
4. Fluoride is a Neurotoxin. Since 2006, studies have recorded up to six newly categorised developmental neurotoxins - one of which was Fluoride. Neurotoxins are responsible for contributing to neuro-developmental disabilities including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and other cognitive impairments. These conditions affect millions of children worldwide, and researchers are finding that some of these diagnoses seem to be increasing in frequency.
5.  The range of fluoride levels in drinking water deemed safe by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines(updated March 2015) is between 0.7 and 1mg/Litre. This range is very narrow and maintenance of fluoride levels in drinking water must be regularly and diligently monitored by state governments and local councils. Outside of metropolitan areas, councils are usually responsible for adding fluoride to water supplies.
6.  In the 1960’s and 1970’s Australia began fluoridating it’s drinking water supplies. By 1984, almost 66% of the Australian population had access to fluoridated drinking water. Today, around 90% of Australians have access to fluoridated drinking water.
7. In 2006, a major study known as the The Iowa study showed a strong significant positive relationship between total fluoride intake (including diet, water, dental products and supplements) and the prevalence of ANY fluorosis. Cumulative average daily intakes of more than 0.04 mg/kg bw/day resulted in a significantly higher prevalence of fluorosis. The highest rates of fluorosis were associated with intakes of more than 0.06 mg/kg bw/day. The results of this study have also been acknowledged by the Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ). The Australian Water Guidelines (set by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and endorsed by the Australian Dental Association (ADA)), regard safe fluoride levels in drinking water to be between 0.6 and 1.1mg/L.
8. A final 'Information Paper' is expected to be issued in 2016 by the the Australian NHMRC, providing information on the latest evidence regarding the “efficacy of the practice” of Australia’s widespread fluoridation of drinking water, and whether the “decades long scheme is bringing the desired benefits” of mitigating tooth decay. Published scientific articles have been called upon as the first step of the review process to ensure that any future advice provided by the NHMRC “is based on the most current evidence”.
9.  Fluoride treatment is effective when applied topically. A study published in 2013 titled “The cariostatic mechanisms of fluoride” concluded that: “the current evidence from clinical and laboratory studies suggest that the caries-preventative mode of action (of fluoride) is mainly topical”. The findings also stated, that when fluoride is continually present in oral fluids such as saliva, this fluoride is able to prevent the demineralization of teeth by absorbing directly into the surface of the enamel.
10. Water fluoridation in Australia is supported and endorsed by the following major organisations:

-       Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council

-       Public Health Associations of Australia

-       Australian Medical Association

-       Australian Dental Association

-       Australian Institute of Environmental Health

-       Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

-       Arthritis Australia

-       Osteoporosis Australia

-       The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

So the question remains: “What danger can Fluoride consumption pose on human health?”  
Why are we still involuntarily drinking fluoride in our tap water? Studies show that we can maintain dental health by topical application. Why has the Australian government approved what seems like a “mass medication” of the Australian public without fully knowing what the health implications would be for the 90% of Australians who have now been consuming fluoridated water for several decades? What will the NHMRC’s final Information Paper expose about fluoride consumption in 2016? Will it be too late for many of us to reverse what could potentially involve, skeletal, cognitive, neurological and even cardiovascular damage?

Fluorosis – The mystery illness

At the moment, the ONLY disease formally recognised to be directly associated with flouride intake, is Fluorosis.

There are two types of Fluorosis: Dental Fluorosis and Skeletal Fluorosis.

Dental fluorosis is regarded as the most common form of the two. The World Health Organisation describes clinical dental fluorosis as “staining and pitting of the teeth.” And “in more sever cases, all the enamel may be damaged”.

The Australian Dental Association defines Dental Fluorosis as the "staining or mottling of the teeth as a result of greater than optimal fluoride exposure while a child’s teeth are developing”.

The Centre for Disease Control confirms that “only children aged 8 years and younger can develop dental fluorosis because this is when permanent teeth are developing under the gums. Once the teeth erupt through the gums and are in the mouth, they can no longer develop fluorosis. The teeth of children older than 8 years, adolescents and adults cannot develop dental fluorosis”.

So, of what we can PHYSICALLY SEE, the first NOTICEABLE symptoms of dental fluorosis are teeth discouloration and with more sever cases, “mottled” tooth enamel – displays of which only affect children, and are described by the NHMR as entirely “aesthetic”.

[What 'aesthetic' MEANS is, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia considers dental fluorosis symptoms to be a mere cosmetic issue -  basically... nothing to worry about... we can just bleach that stuff into oblivion... now let's sweep it under the rug and forget about it... problem solved.]

If teeth can show external abnormalities from overexposure to fluoride, then it is reasonable to question what fluorosis could mean from an ‘internal’ perspective. Out of the entire human skeletal system, teeth are the only bones to exist externally. They are the only portion of our entire bone structure that can be physically observed from the outside. We cannot go to a dentist or doctor with teeth discolouration and say “Hey, can you have a look at my hip bones as well and tell me if they’re normal? Do you think I’ll need a hip replacement in 20 years time if I don’t start reducing my fluoride intake?”

If children can form Dental Fluorosis under the age of 8,  what else could have, or could STILL BE, happening internally to the rest of the skeletal structure, that is NOT. BEING. CORRECTLY. ADDRESSED? More directly, what other health issues are we suffering that are being EXCLUDED from the diagnosis, AND THE TREATMENT of, fluorosis? 
If teeth are affected before they erupt, then something seriously abnormal is happening within a child's system that could well be lingering right through to their adult and senior years.

The second form of Fluorosis is “Skeletal Fluorosis”, where fluoride accumulates in the bone progressively over many years. Early symptoms include stiffness and joint pain. The World Health Organisation  states that in severe cases of Skeletal Fluorosis, “the bone structure may change and ligaments may calcify, with resulting impairment of muscles, and pain”.

Shall we go out on a 'tangent" here and dare to compare these symptoms to a common (but serious) household ailment known as... Arthritis? I think we should, just for curiosity’s sake…

Arthritis Australia states that “Arthritis related problems include, pain, stiffness, inflammation, and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures. This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that can interfere with the most daily basic tasks”.

Can anyone else see a similarity?

Right now a massive 28% of the Australian population have arthritis and other muscoskeletal conditions (that’s around 6.1 million people). Of the different forms of Arthritis, Osteo-Arthritis is the LEADING SOURCE of health expenditure on arthritis in Australia, accounting for $2.03 billion per year.

Osteoarthritis is the progressive deterioration of the joint. If Osteoarthritis degenerates to advanced stages, cartilage not only breaks down (leading to stiff and restricted joints), but new bone (or spurs) can form near the joint as a result.  

And what did WHO say again? They stated that in severe cases of Skeletal Fluorosis, “the bone structure may change and ligaments may calcify, with resulting impairment of muscles and pain”.

Arthritis symptoms compare very similarly to that of ‘Skeletal Fluorosis’, yet no direct correlation has been formally acknowledged by any government health body - none that I’ve come across in my research anyway.

In 2006, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) stated in a document titled “Application A588 – Voluntary Addition of Fluoride to Packaged Water”, that:

“The prevalence of very mild and mild dental fluorosis is usually higher in fluoridated compared to non-fluoridated areas. However, there is no evidence of skeletal fluorosis that is attributable to fluoridated water supply sources in Australia and New Zealand”…

Could there have been a higher incidence of osteoarthritis in these areas instead?

The document goes on to read:

“The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines says levels above 4mg/L can cause skeletal fluorosis (NHMRC and NRMMC, 2004), but the maximum fluoride level set in the Guidelines (at the time) was 1.5mg/L. No evidence of occurrence of skeletal fluorosis in Australia or New Zealand was found. Levels of fluoride in drinking water in Australia and New Zealand are much lower than those attributed to the development of skeletal fluorosis.”

But what about Fluoride levels in drinking water that could possibly attribute to something like Arthritis?

In a World Health Organisation background paper published in October 2004, Osteoarthritis (OA) is regarded as:

“A complex disease whose cause is not completely understood. Furthermore, effective biomarkers, diagnostic aids and imaging technology are not available to assist in the management of OA. There are also several areas where information is still lacking; these include: epidemiology, pathophysiology, environmental risk factors, genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors.” 

The paper also stated that: “at present, there is not a cure of OA”.

Or is there?

If levels above 4mg/Litre can cause skeletal fluorosis, then just how easy is it to reach 4mg/L? Combine fluoridated drinking water with fluoridated products like toothpaste and mouthwash, and we could easily be increasing our risk of fluorosis. The problem here is that there is no easy and accurate way of measuring our total daily consumption. In addition, the upper and lower limit of  ‘safe’ fluoride ingestion is quite narrow (currently0.7-1mg/L), so merely estimating our level of exposure will not suffice. Despite all of this, we are still being left to our own devices by our government to try and save ourselves from the crippling effects of fluorosis. The NHMRC has confirmed this by stating: 

“The prevalence of fluorosis has been significantly reduced with more appropriate use of OTHER FLUORIDE SOURCES”. 

The Australian Dental Association supports the NHMRC's recommendations by agreeing that the “preferred strategy for maintaining the low incidence of dental fluorosis” is to “CONTROL ADDITIONAL fluoride sources, RATHER THAN the reduction or removal of the optimum fluoride level in drinking water”. (ADA Policy Statement April 2014 ) 

Even if we could accurately measure our fluoride intake form other sources, how do we know that the fluoride in our drinking water is maintained at consistently safe levels?

How can the levels of fluoride be accurately monitored by state governments and local councils, 100% of the time? 

In December 2013, the Snowy River Shire Council (NSW, Australia) found that fluoride levels in local drinking water reached 2.8mg/Litre. That’s more than DOUBLE the maximum recommended fluoride concentration, and this was likely to have occurred over several days. If the World Health Organisation takes the stand that: 

“the control of DRINKING WATER IS CRITICAL in preventing fluorosis”,

and our food regulatory body, FSANZ, conforms with the Australian Drinking Guidelines (set by the NHMRC) which recommend:

“levels above 4mg/L can cause skeletal fluorosis (NHMRC and NRMMC, 2004)",

then the residents of the Snowy River Council who happened to drink two or more litres of water a day during that critical time, have been unknowingly put at risk of skeletal fluorosis while trusting the effectiveness of government policy and regulation.

How often do breaches like this happen all over the nation, of which we are NOT told about? 

It makes sense then, that we could well be overdosing on Fluoride, not only due to the fact that we can not adequately measure our own exposure from "other fluoride sources", but as a result of inconsistencies with water quality management. Skeletal Fluorosis is apparently very rare in Australia - how do we know if this is true? The general public are not routinely tested for fluoride to support such a claim. The direct cause and cure of Osteoarthritis (something that is very prevalent in Australia) is not yet known - why not? Because the general public are not routinely tested for fluoride? WHY THE HELL AREN'T WE BEING ROUTINELY TESTED FOR FLUORIDE?

Is it possible that a portion of the 28% of the Australian public currently diagnosed with Arthritis, are NOT actually suffering from ‘Arthritis’ at all, but another completely different condition sharing the same symptoms? A condition by the name of “skeletal Fluorosis” perhaps? The very same condition that might be resolved by simply reducing one’s fluoride intake?

The dilemma doesn't stop there - what about that other bone disorder currently crippling Australia… Osteoporosis? 

In the past, Fluoride has been used as experimental treatments for osteoporosis, trials of which consequently found that “fluoride therapy” actually INCREASED vertebral fractures and bone loss (Gutteridge DH, et al. (2002)). Right now in our own country, every 5-6 minutes someone is admitted to an Australian hospital with an osteoporotic fracture. 

There are people suffering from the debilitation of Arthritis and Osteoporosis, who could well be in fact experiencing chronic fluoride toxicity. Excessive fluoride intake is often concurrent with joint pain and stiffness. Even the US Department of Health and Human Services has admitted to that one. What if relieving and treating arthritis or osteoporosis, was as simple as reducing fluoride intake over a certified time frame? Right now, that seems extraordinarily ridiculous! But how do we know, when for some reason, our health professionals are not openly giving us the option of getting tested?

Fluoride levels can be determined through blood tests (serum level tests) which indicate the amount of fluoride in soft tissues (long term exposure), and urine tests (which indicates immediate and everyday fluoride exposure like occupational ingestion, and constant excessive consumption due to residing in areas with high fluoride levels - such as naturally high water fluoridation).

Could you imagine if the solution to preventing common diseases like Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis was as simple as reducing our consumption of fluoride? Or is that too out of reach given that we already have a massive market for prescription ‘solutions’, many of which are comfortably listed on the Public Benefits Scheme? (Ahhhhh… the frustration of it all!)

Fluorosis, Arthritis and Osteoporosis... Overshadowed by the Public Benefits Scheme?

Lets talk about this! Let’s go there….

The Pharmaceutical Industry Profile on the Australian Government’s Department of Industry and Science’s website writes “The Pharmaceuticals Industry receives significant financial support from the Australian Government through the sales of medicines listed on the Public Benefits Scheme (PBS).” 

According to the Australian Department of Industry and Science website, “Australia’s population only represents approximately 0.3 per cent of the world population. However, Australians consume large amounts of medicines. Pharmaceutical sales in Australia made up a significant share of the global market, making Australia the 12^th largest world market in 2012 (IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics Report 2012).”

These are the figures, and straight from the source. Can it get any more obvious? Clearly, it is far more desirable (and profitable) to treat the symptoms, and not the cause. I don't need to ask about fluoride testing anymore... I have found my answer. Prescription medicine has, and always will be, the unfortunate lifeline of that massive and highly influential universe, that is, the Pharmaceutical Industry.


Sponsorship... The new Governor?

And then there's the possibility of ‘sponsoring’ by all the big companies, behind all the big toothpaste brands. If the ADA says to minimise the risk of Fluorosis by reducing “other sources”, then that would mean restricting fluoridated products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. If the ADA presents this information plain and simple, then why are fluoridated products from brands like Colgate and Oral B starring you in the face as soon as you walk into a registered dental clinic?

The ADA is recommending toothpastes and mouthwash that contain fluoride... the very same “other sources” that we are told to restrict, to control our risk of fluorosis. 

Here is the complete list of oral hygiene products endorsed by the ADA (as of January 2015):

Toothpaste:

Colgate Total 

Colgate Total Mint Stripe 

Colgate Fluoriguard Sparkling Mint Gel (currently Spiderman ) 

Colgate Fluoriguard Sparkling Mint Gel ( Currently Dora ) 

My First Colgate 

Colgate Total Advanced Whitening 

Colgate Total Advanced Fresh 

Colgate Total Advanced Clean 

Colgate Sensitive Fresh Stripe

Colgate Sensitive Whitening 

Colgate Sensitive Multi Protection 

Colgate Maximum Cavity plus sugar acid neutraliser (Clean Mint)

Colgate Maximum Cavity plus sugar acid neutraliser (Fresh Mint) 

White Glo Toothpaste 

Coles Toothpaste Total Care 

Coles Toothpaste Total Care & Whitening 

Macleans Milk Teeth 

Oral B Pro Health Fresh mint 

Oral B Pro Health Clean Mint

Mouthwash:

Colgate Savacol Mouth and Throat Rinse Mint 

Colgate Savacol Mouth and Throat Rinse Freshmint 

Colgate Savacol Mouth and Throat Rinse Alcohol-Free 

Listerine Coolmint 

Listerine Freshburst 

Listerine Mouth Rinse 

Listerine Tartar Control Antiseptic Mouth Rinse 

Listerine Teeth Defence Antiseptic Mouthwash with Fluoride 

Listerine Total Care Mouthwash Trendpac 

Denitex Teeth Defence 

Denitex Gentle Care Zero 

Denitex Ultra Fresh Burst 

Denitex Tartar Control

What else is the Australian Dental Association promoting? Parabens, sodium laurel sulfate (skin irritant, suspected carcinogen), artificial sweeteners (carcinogenic), triclosan (hormone disrupter), artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial preservatives, antifreeze (propylene glycol) and numbers that don’t even register in the English language. That’s ok, because we’ll all have great teeth won't we?

Looking at the below, it is hard to believe that these ingredients/chemicals are even deemed SAFE to put in our mouth, let alone endorsed by the Australian Dental Association: 

Colgate Total Mintsripe:
Sodium Fluoride, Triclosan, Water, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Sorbital, PVM/MA Copolymer, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Cellulose Gum, Flavour, Sodium Hydroxide, Carrageenan, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Saccharin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, FD&C blue no.1, D&C yellow no.10.

Macleans Milk Teeth (ingredients listed on the packet):

Glycerin, Water, Hydrated Silica, Xylitol, PEG-6, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Disodium Phosphate, Flavour, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Saccharin, Mehtylparaben, Propylparaben, C173360, C174160.

Oral B Pro Health Fresh Mint:

Sodium Fluoride. The full ingredients list could not be found... promising!.

Colgate Savacol:

Could only find that it contains Chlorhexidine Gluconate. An ingredient that may cause reversible staining of the teeth and tooth-coloured restorations. It may also lead to increased tartar production and a temporary alteration in taste perception. Side effects include white patches or sores inside of the mouth and swelling of the salivary gland. If swallowed and an overdose is suspected, poisons information should be called immediately.

Listerine Cool Mint:

Eucalyptol, Menthol, Methyl Salicylate, Thymol, Water, Alcohol, Sorbitol Solution, Flavouring, Poloxamer 407, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Saccharin, Sodium Benzoate, FD&C Green No. 3.

Interestingly, there is not one organic or even natural brand of toothpaste mentioned on the official product list. Dentists are promoting oral health (as expected)... but they are doing it at the expense of our entire general wellbeing; Fluoridated drinking water prevents tooth decay (and is also linked to several other serious diseases). Fluoridated products improve oral health (and contain ingredients that are both carcinogenic and hormone disrupting). 

Is there a reason why the ADA supports these particularly nasty mainstream brands? These products do improve oral hygiene (to an extent), but is there some other motivation behind the ADA's official list of endorsements?

When toothpaste brands are splashed all over the walls of dental rooms, when supermarket shelves are filled with these same big company names (products that contain fluoride… AND parabens AND other cheap fillers), and when the products of these Brands are being indirectly encouraged by the government, it makes you question… Are big companies sponsoring dentists? Are government health departments receiving funds from the same source? Is this all connected? Is the push for oral hygiene through the use of fluoridated products, just ONE BIG MONEY PIT?


Fluoride toxicity and the myriad of other linked diseases

While “Dental Fluorosis” is a term that conveniently represents only aesthetic side effects in young children (apparently ‘aesthetics’ indicates nothing else but unfavourable appearance), there are other health warnings concerning Fluoride exposure that the NHMR swiftly dismisses with responses like: “there is insufficient evidence”,  and...  “there is no clear association”.  

Independent scientific studies by the FluorideAction Network (FAN) suggest otherwise. FAN argues that there ARE INDEED other health risks associated with Fluoride, and some of these concerns are COMMON and WIDESPREAD pandemics.

FAN is an organisation that raises awareness specifically targeting fluoride toxicity by releasing detailed and current research from studies conducted across the globe. FAN also acts as a ‘watch dog’ over US government agencies regarding any political decisions that may influence the public’s exposure to fluoride.

FAN has presented several studies linking fluoride toxicity to the following conditions:

-       Lower IQ 

-       Osteoporosis

-       Arthritis 

-       Hypothyroidism 

-       Arterial Calcification (cardiovascular disease)

-       A reduction in cartilage.

  

It’s no wonder we’re literally crawling on our hands and knees, struggling to find our way through the grey matter that is: FLUORIDE.

What are we to believe? What are we to do? While we ponder in our hopelessness, our families are still consuming fluoridated tap water, our dentists still encourage fluoridated products and treatments, the government consistently highlights the facts that support fluoride consumption, and then there are the Brands like Colgate, Oral B and Maclean’s that make millions from our vulnerability.

On one side of the coin, we have to do whatever we can to ensure the health of our family. If we are told that fluoride prevents tooth decay and the best care for oral hygiene is to follow regulatory guidelines, then out of moral responsibility, we feel obliged to conform.

On the other side of the coin, we still have to do whatever we can to ensure the health of our family. We educate ourselves beyond the confines of political agenda, and we try to take recourse from what we know. There are hundreds of scientific studies and articles from independent scholars on the medical implications of fluoride consumption… there’s a reason for the bounty of information for and against fluoride. No smoke without fire, right? And ignorance is definitely NOT BLISS!

What can we do to protect ourselves and our families?

If you live in Australia and you consume tap water:

• Then you are most likely drinking fluoridated water. 
• You may need to look at un-fluoridated oral hygiene products and discuss the signs of dental fluorosis with your dentist before any professional fluoride treatments are provided during your appointment.
• Consider the use of natural and organic, un-fluoridated toothpastes for the whole family.
• If you are concerned about fluoride levels in your drinking water, contact your local council for more information.
• If you are concerned about previous fluoride exposure, you may be able to request being tested by your GP.
• Consider investing in a good quality water filter.

If you live in Australia and you are drinking naturally un-fluoridated, or filtered water:

• Consider natural toothpastes with added fluoride. Avoid the parabens and chemicals in commercial brands whenever possible.
• If you are concerned that you are below optimum levels of fluoride intake, then you may be able to request being tested by your GP. 

For children, parental vigilance is key. Always:

• Monitor the your child’s use of fluoridated products.
• Limit toothpaste to a pea-sized amount for each teeth cleaning session. For children under 2 years of age, avoid fluoridated products - use a damp cloth and rub gently over teeth.
• Look for natural toothpaste. If your child is consuming filtered water and is over 2 years of age, try to source toothpaste that is organic, contains natural ingredients and contains a small amount of fluoride. If your family consumes tap water, it may be beneficial to switch to an organic, natural and NON-fluoridated toothpaste a couple of times week. Fortunately, Australia has embraced a low fluoride stance for commercial brands of children’s toothpaste – unfortunately, most brands sold in supermarkets contain all the other undesirables like parabens, numbers, artificial everything and an array of other really bad additives.

If Fluoride is swallowed and poisoning is suspected, call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26.

Good quality, 100% natural and organic toothpastes can be hard to find. For this reason, Nourish Me Whole Heartedly specifically adores Riddells Creek Organic Toothpaste - 100% Australian owned and Australian made. Riddells Creek toothpastes contain recognisable, natural and organic ingredients - a wonderful and completely safe alternative to fluoridated toothpaste... and there is definitely no need to call poisons information if swallowed... You could eat it if you really wanted to! :)

And lastly, PLEASE educate yourself. Knowledge is POWER!


Love and care to you all,

Candice. Xx

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