Pop culture loves a good conspiracy theory. Remember when Tom Cruise talked about “toxins” in water? He wasn’t entirely wrong, just a bit dramatic. On The Joe Rogan Experience, dentists and scientists regularly debate fluoridation, often concluding it’s outdated. Even Portland, Oregon and Wichita, Kansas have voted against adding fluoride to their water. That’s not a fringe movement—it’s a city council decision.
Fluoridation
The American Dental Association still firmly supports water fluoridation, calling it “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” But here’s the elephant in the room: tooth decay has dramatically declined since the 1970s, largely due to better toothpaste, dental sealants, and awareness. We’re essentially using a 1940s solution for a problem that has already been solved by modern hygiene.
Practical Tips for the Modern Sipper
So, what do you do? You don’t have to move to a mountain spring and drink from a gourd. Start small. Install a reverse osmosis filter under your sink—it removes up to 95% of fluoride. Berkey and Aquasana are solid brands that have passed lab tests. Brita and Pur filters? They don’t touch fluoride. Check the fine print.
Another hack: drink spring water in glass bottles. Brands like Mountain Valley or Evian are low in fluoride. For cooking, use distilled water (it’s cheap and reliable). And for brushing, don’t swallow the toothpaste—a classic parental warning that is actually vital. Teach kids to spit, not rinse.
Fun little fact: Some organic toothpaste brands, like Boka or Risewell, use nano-hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride. It’s a mineral that naturally rebuilds enamel without the risks. It’s the same stuff your teeth are made of. Fancy, right?
Fluoride: Good or Bad? - AlkaViva LLC
