Fluoride-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Today, almost all toothpastes contain fluoride. It is well recognised that the decline in the prevalence of dental caries over the past 30 years can be attributed mainly to the widespread use of toothpaste that contain fluoride. Sodium fluoride, the most commonly used fluoride compound is considered safe and effective.

Fluoride naturally occurs in the environment. Concentrations in surface waters depend on location but are generally low and usually do not exceed 0.3 mg fluoride per liter. Groundwater can contain much higher levels.

There is no evidence of increased incidence of renal disease or renal dysfunction in humans exposed to up to 8 mg fluoride per liter in drinking water[1].

Usually fluoride is removed from your body via the kidneys. Too much fluoride may damage your kidneys beyond repair.

What happens if you happen to live in an area that has a natural water supply that is high in fluoride? Research from El Qued (southern Algeria) indicates that kidney damage occured in patients, who were living in an area with a high level of fluoride in their drinking water, had kidney damage proporional to their age[2]. Which means: the older you are, the more fluoride you have ingested during your lifetime, the more damage to your kidneys can be observed.

We would like to suggest to call this particular variant: Fluoride-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease.

[1] Wong et al: Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children in Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews – 2010
[2] Reggabi et al: Renal function in residents of an endemic fluorosis area in southern Algeria in Fluoride - 1984