Water Contaminant Spotlight: Is Fluoride In Water Bad?

Take the next step
Additional Support
What to Expect at Your Culligan Water Test and Consultation
Discover More
Updated: February 24, 2023 June 26, 2018
There are a lot of questions around if fluoride in water is bad or good. While there isn’t an official answer to this question yet, we’re here to give you the facts so that you can formulate your own opinion. Here is the run down on the effects of fluoride in water, what it means for you and water filtering solutions that can address high levels of it.
Fluoride, a compound derived from the chemical element fluorine, is found in soil, water and food. Water fluoridation, which refers to the process of synthetically adding fluoride to community water supplies, is driven by the belief that fluoride may help reduce the prevalence of tooth decay. In general, synthetically modified water has an average fluoride concentration of 1 milligram per liter added, while naturally occurring fluoride concentrations usually don’t exceed 0.3 milligrams per liter. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the recommended fluoride level in drinking water, for the purposes of protecting teeth health, is 0.7 milligrams per liter.
While studies show the dental health benefits of fluoride in water, is adding it necessary? There are other methods to topically add fluoride to tooth enamel, like brushing your teeth with fluoride-rich toothpaste, which makes the addition of it in water unnecessary. Since the public cannot control the level of fluoride being added, individuals who may drink more water than others or infants drinking formula made from tap water may be ingesting a more than normal amount.
Some possible health concerns of ingesting toxic levels of fluoride include:
There are both pros and cons to water fluoridation, but one thing we do know at Culligan is that water filtration can help reduce high concentrations of fluoride from water. Different regions may have varying levels of fluoride in water, and groundwater can have particularly high concentrations. But how can you know what your water quality really looks like? Call on Culligan to test your water and provide a water filtration solution that fits your needs. You may benefit from a reverse osmosis water filtration system, which uses technology to filter out water contaminants including fluoride. Regardless of your water quality, we have a solution that will meet your specific needs. We’re here to keep you informed about all aspects of the water running from your faucet and what you can do to make sure it’s optimal for drinking.
Get better water in your home by scheduling an appointment with your local Culligan Water Expert.
Be prepared - review these important tips to navigate an emergency that could impact your water.
Here are a few approaches that work — and a few that don’t.
With any of our soft water systems, get more out of your water-using appliances while spending less on energy and detergent.
See Water Softeners
There’s never been a better time to enjoy the convenience of scheduled bottled water deliveries from the Culligan® Water Experts
See Water Delivery Options
Culligan’s water filtration systems have improved water quality for thousands of families worldwide.
See Water Filtration Systems