Water Sample Collection And Analysis
One liter of tap water and 1 L of bottled water were collected from each of the 30 homes in Nogales, AZ, USA for measurement of fluoride. Prior to water collection, the area around the faucet was cleared of any objects which could obstruct the flow of water. The cold water faucet was turned on and run for approximately 12 min. Water was collected in sterile, 1-L sample bottles and immediately capped. Samples were stored on ice in a cooler and transported to Test America, Inc., an Arizona state certified environmental testing laboratory. Fluoride levels in each sample were assessed using USEPA Method 300.0 with ion chromatography and a detection limit of 0.4 mg/L .
Chain of custody forms were completed and submitted to the lab. As required by USEPA Method 300.0, a trip blank and temperature indicator were taken to the sampling location each time to guarantee that primary samples were not contaminated during transport. Quality control samples were immediately processed after calibration of every 10 samples throughout the entire analytical batch. The measured results for the QCS were compared to the true values to determine percent recoveries. If QCS results were not within ±10% of the true value, the analysis was terminated, the problem corrected, and the analysis repeated.
Fluoride Levels: Compared To The Bottled Water Labels
Bottled water manufacturers are not required by the FDA to report the fluoride levels in the water on the label but are required to list any fluoride additives if they are used . If the bottled water contains fluoride levels in the range between 0.6 and 1.0 mg/L, the FDA approved the labeling of bottled water with the following statement: Drinking fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay .
Looking For Fluoridated Bottled Water
For consumers who want fluoride in their drinking water and wish to choose bottled water, approximately 20 IBWA member companies make clearly-labeledfluoridated bottled waterproducts under stringent FDA guidelines.
As required by FDA regulations, those brands are labeled as fluoridated,fluoride added,fluoride enhanced, or other language that clearly informs the consumer about the products fluoride content.
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The Bottled Water Industry Produces Both Fluoridated And Non
A number of IBWA member companiesproduce fluoridated bottled waterfor consumers who want fluoride in their drinking water and wish to choose bottled water.
There are many sources of fluoride, and the amount of fluoride exposure varies greatly by community and individual. Approximately two-thirds of communities in the Unites States fluoridate their public drinking water supplies. Those who live in communities that do not fluoridate public drinking water, who get their drinking water from wells, or who filter their fluoridated tap water do not get fluoride in their drinking water.
Fluoride is present in many foods and beverages and almost all toothpaste contains fluoride. Too much exposure to fluoride can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which results in stains to the teeth. Consumers should, therefore, look at how much fluoride they are receiving as part of an overall diet and should contact their health-care or dental-care provider for their recommendation.
There is no correlation between the consumption of bottled water and an increase in cavities. In fact, bottled water does not contain ingredients that cause cavities, such as sugar. Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, an American Dental Association spokesman and Augusta, Maine-based pediatric dentist, further clarified the issue when stating that, there has been no research to show using bottled water causes tooth decay.
Fluoride In Drinking Water Safe Levels

The World Health Organization recommends that the optimum or safe fluoride level in drinking water should be:
Area | |
Less than 1.2 mg/L | 1.5 mg/L |
These WHO standards are however not universal, especially in parts of the world where the levels of fluoride might be excessive.
In the U.S, for instance, as of 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services set 0.7 mg/L to be the optimal fluoride level in public water systems for preventing tooth decay.
This is a replacement for the earlier recommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L issued in 1962.
As for Canada, the optimum recommended level of fluoride in drinking water by the government is 0.7 mg/L while the maximum acceptable concentration remains at 1.5 mg/L.
In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council recommended a range of 0.6 to 1.1 mg/L for their community water fluoridation after conducting systematic reviews in 2007 and 2017.
Therefore, the appropriate safe range of fluoride levels in water is from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L. It should always be kept well within this range for optimal dental health and to protect children from dental fluorosis.
Any drinking water that contains fluoride above the maximum allowable level of 1.5 mg/L can lead to fluorosis and other health problems. Anything higher than 4 mg/L could be hazardous.
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What Is The Best Bottled Water With Fluoride
Because you want to get a water bottle with the highest quantity of Fluoride, you should get the Arto Lifewtr bottled water.
Because on the label of this brands water bottle, they show a fluoride level of 2.4 ppm, which is really good.
It means you will have the maximum quantity of this content which is ultimately safe for your teeth and other cavity problems.
Is There Fluoride In Deer Park Water
Thanks to Deer Parks easy to use water reporting system, their water information is readily available. It is now the most recent information available from the water quality report that reads that the spring water in Deer Park contains between 0 and N for hardness. Their distilled and sparkling water contains 16 mg of fluoride as well as 2 mg as silicate water is at ND levels.
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Fluoridation Remains The Objective Whether Bottled Or Tap
Today, drinking bottled water is considered trendy and leads to potentially relinquishing tap water for drinking completely. Manufacturers produce high end ottled water to no-frills bottled water, bringing different price tags along with them. Bottled water may be more appealing than tap these days and is marketed to be clean and clear. However, most bottled water does not contain fluoride, which is essential to prevent tooth decay.
Americans drink an average of 30 gallons of bottled water each year, according to the CDC.1 Aside from saliva, water is necessary for lavation of the oral cavity. It may also prevent xerostomia or dry mouth, which can increase the acid production that leads to tooth decay. Although it may be the drink of choice and crucial to oral health, deficient of fluoride, it can actually aid in causing decay.
Its not the water thats causing the decay, said Jack Cottrell, DDS, president of the Canadian Dental Association in MedPage Today. Its the lack of fluoride.2 All water sources generally contain fluoride, but most do not have enough to cultivate adequate dental health.
Most consumers do not drink tap water, whichin many areascontains the proper supplemental fluoride we need to prevent tooth decay. However, not all bottled water is fluoride deficient. Due to many notable concerns, companies now offer fluoridated bottled water to encourage bottled water drinkers to drink more fluoridated water.
Regulating water
What patients should know
What Is The Best Bottled Water With Fluoride For Babies
For babies and to ensure that when they drink bottled water, enough fluoride shall reach them, you can buy bottled water from Dasani or Fiji.
These brands are highly reputed globally, with fluoride content levels of 0.07 and 0.2 ppm, respectively.
It means you are neither giving the excess amount of this content to your babies nor the minimum.
If fluoride in the water of your babies is something your baby doctor has recommended, then choosing bottled water from these brands will never let you down.
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Does Purified Water Contain Fluoride
No. If water has been purified by a manufacturer whether its tap water or water from a spring it shouldnt contain fluoride. The only exception is if the brand adds fluoride back into their water after purifying it. Again, contact the manufacturer if this information isnt available on the bottle.
Bottled Water And Tooth Decay: Kidsmay Not Be Getting Enough Fluoride
Some dentists are concerned about a problem they haven’t worried about as much in decades — whether children are getting enough fluoride.
Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. Mass fluoridating of municipal water supplies, started in the 1940s, has been called the most effective public-health measure ever made to improve oral health. But the growing popularity of bottled water has brought concerns about adequate fluoride levels.
While praised otherwise for its health benefits, bottled water often doesn’t contain enough fluoride to prevent tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association. And it isn’t just water in a bottle or office cooler that presents a problem, dental experts say. Some home water-treatment systems that put tap water through high levels of filtration, such as reverse osmosis, may also take fluoride out, the ADA says.
Poland Spring’s 8-ounce bottle of water contains fluoride.
Dannon’s “Fluoride to Go” spring water, owned by Danone SA and marketed and distributed byCoca-Cola Co. , is also marketed in a kid-friendly 8.5-ounce bottle. The brand contains 0.25 milligram of fluoride per bottle, also enough to meet optimal fluoride guidelines, according to a Coke spokesman.
Overall, about 20 bottled-water makers now add fluoride to some of their water brands in bottles and home and office coolers, according to the International Bottled Water Association.
- Email questions to , and read responses in . Tara Parker-Pope returns next week.
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Can Lead To Skeletal Fluorosis
Excess or chronic ingestion of fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis which is a bone disease that can result in pain and cause damage to bones and joints.
In this condition, fluoride accumulates in the bone continuously over many years causing the bones to become hardened and less elastic hence increasing the risk of fractures.
Early symptoms of skeletal fluorosis are stiffness and pain within the joints but in severe cases, ligaments may calcify, and also the bone structure may change resulting in pain and impairment of muscles or impaired joint mobility.
How Do You Know If Bottled Water Has Fluoride In It

Using bottled water, I can get the amount of fluoride in the water. Besides, water bottle manufacturers are not required to display the amount of fluoride mentioned on the label if they have added it in a specific amount to their product. Your manufacturer can inform you how much fluoride is present in the bottled water youre buying.
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Fluoride Levels: Local Versus Imported Bottled Water
Comparing the fluoride levels in local and imported bottled water demonstrated that, out of 14 imported brands of bottled water, only four brands exhibited fluoride levels, while out of the nine local brands of bottled water, only three brands exhibited fluoride levels . Statistical analysis of the data, using the analysis of variance, demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between the source of bottled water and the level of fluoride in the analyzed bottled water samples . Fluoride levels fluctuate from, one brand to another and between locally produced and imported bottled water.
What Bottled Water Has No Fluoride
Bottled water is typically made from water that is filtered and then sealed in a bottle. Many bottled water brands have fluoride added to them, but there are a few brands that do not have fluoride added. Among these brands, only Niagara Purified Water and Infant Water are completely fluoride-free. Niagara Spring water may contain some naturally occurring fluoride that is left untouched.
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Which Bottled Water Has No Fluoride
Even if it is important to add fluoride into the water bottles, some brands or companies do not even bother with it.
Below, Ive added a list of brands that produce bottled water with no fluoride addition into it.
So, you should only refer to these water bottle brands if you want fluoride-free water.
- Icelandic Glacial
However, if you are still confused to find out whether these bottled water has fluoride in them or not, consider referring to their websites. You will get detailed information there.
Fluoridated Water Also Protects Adults Teeth
Water fluoridation also plays an important role in preventing teeth decay among adults of all ages. An analysis of several studies on the effectiveness of water fluoridation conducted by the American Dental Association found that dental decay in adults is reduced by 27%.
The studies show that fluorides topical effect in an adults mouth can stop the decay process during the early stages and as well make the enamel surface stronger and more resistant to further acid attacks.
Other studies in Australia and also in the American Journal of Public Health demonstrated that greater exposure to fluoridated water from childhood reduces the chances of loss of teeth 40 or 50 years later.
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Type Of Bottled Water
The bottled water brands that were analyzed for fluoride in this research were sold in plastic bottles that are made from polyethylene terephthalate . Fluoride in the bottled water does not interact with the material of the bottle or the other minerals in the water . As a result, the level of fluoride reported in this research is not influenced by any leaching from the plastic bottle.
The bottled water brands analyzed for fluoride in this research, according to their labels, were obtained from different sources, or represented different types of water. According to the FDA, bottled water refers to water labeled as artesian, drinking, mineral, purified , sparkling, or spring water . The highest percentage of bottled water tested in this research was mainly mineral and spring water. Statistical analysis of the data, using the analysis of variance, demonstrated that there is a significant relationship between the type of bottled water and the level of fluoride in the analyzed bottled water samples .
Does Kirkland Purified Water Have Fluoride
Kirkland water does not typically contain high levels of fluoride, like some other brands do. It typically contains very low levels of fluoride, which is why itâs a good choice for people who are looking for a fluoride-free option. The Italian sparkling mineral water has 0.1 ppm of fluoride, purified water with minerals added for taste has 0.0 ppm, while the spring water contains anywhere from 0.0 to 0.3 ppm of fluoride.
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How To Find Out How Much Flouride Your Bottled Drinking Water Contains
Unfortunately, the FDA doesnt require manufacturers to list how much fluoride their bottled water contains, especially if its only found in trace amounts. However, manufacturers adding fluoride to their bottled water are required to list their waters levels of fluoride.
If fluoride isnt listed on the label of your favorite bottled drinking water, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends contacting the manufacturer directly and asking about whether their products contain fluoride. For extra peace of mind, you could ask to see official testing for fluoride in the products.
Origin Of Bottled Water

The tested bottled water brands in this research were purchased from local markets in the UAE. Some of the tested bottled water brands were produced locally in the UAE, and others were imported from international and regional countries, 39% and 61%, respectively. Out of the tested imported bottled water, 22% were from France and 18% from Turkey, which represented the maximum percentage. Out of the tested bottled water, four imported bottled water and three locally produced bottled water contained fluoride.
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Where Does Bottled Water Come From
Bottled water comes from a variety of sources, including many of the same sources as tap water. Sometimes the water you can buy in a bottle is simply public tap water that has been enhanced in some way, such as changing the mineral content. Other sources of bottled water include springs, wells, and surface waters.
The Dangers Of Plastic
Did you know that up to 67 million plastic drinking water bottles are thrown away every day around the world? These plastic bottles are also non-biodegradable, meaning they simply pile up in waste dumps, or can even be ingested by sea creatures once they find their way into the sea.
Drinking from plastic bottles can also result in the following issues in the long run:
- Developmental, learning, and behavioral stalls
This is because plastic water bottles can contain flame retardant chemicals, phthalates, and BPA .
What Are Phthalates? These are chemicals that help with softening and increasing the flexibility of plastic products.
What Is Bisphenol A? This is a synthetic compound used in the making of epoxy. It also has the capability of imitating the bodys hormones, especially estrogen, which can interfere and even disrupt hormone production.
Fluoride may be a primary ingredient in toothpaste and keeping our teeth from getting cavities, but too much of a good thing can also be bad for you. By limiting our intake of fluoridated water, or by switching to healthier alternatives like premium filtered ionized or alkaline water, we can still reap the benefits of water without suffering any long term side effects.
Have you had any experience with fluoridated water? Share them with us in the comments section below!
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Avoid These 22 Brands Of Bottled Water That Are Full Of Toxic Fluoride
Dec 19, 2016Carly FraserSave For Later
Before you reach for your next bottle of water, take a look at the label first. These 12 brands of bottled water are full of toxic fluoride, and you should avoid them at all costs.
You might have heard of recent fluoride controversies and whether it is really safe. Dentists promote it as a way to keep our teeth strong even though it has been found to cause dental fluorosis . I mean, if your toothpaste was safe for you, there wouldnt be blatant warnings on the outside of each tube of toothpaste telling you to not swallow.
Fluoride added to most drinking water supplies is not the naturally occurring type, which so many people fail to realize. The fluoride added to drinking water is fluorosilicic acid, which is a waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. It is more toxic than rat poison in its powdered form, and is heavily contaminated with toxins and heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other radioactive materials.
Fluoride, in fact, can cause an array of serious health issues, and over 97% of the world has stopped adding it to their drinking water. Why, then, has America continued to add this chemical to its water system?