To Fluoride or not to Fluoride

Fluoride is derived from fluorite, the principal fluoride mineral in igneous rocks, formed through the solidification of magma or lava, and in some cases volcanic gases. Local councils may often add fluoride to municipal drinking water supplies as a ‘service’ to ratepayers. Excessive fluoride can cause mottling of tooth density in children. However, many health authorities champion small additions of fluoride for oral health. The recommended addition varies by market due to higher water consumption in warmer climates. In New Zealand the Ministry of Health recommends fluoride content for drinking water in the range of 0.7 to 1.0 mg/L or ppm. Fluoride may or may not occur naturally in mineral and spring waters, and generally only in low concentrations. For those wishing to avoid fluoride altogether, low or no fluoride waters ranged by aquadeli include: Acqua Panna, Antipodes, Ararimu Natural, Ecowai, Perrier and Santa Vittoria. Waters with low levels of naturally occurring fluoride, in parts per million (ppm), include: Fiji Water (0.24), Gerolsteiner (0.21), Otakiri (0.077), San Pellegrino (0.55) and Vichy Catalan (1).