Fluoride in Water

Fluoride is added to most U.S. water supplies—but too much can have health effects over time. Learn what fluoride does, why it’s controversial, and how Clearbrook filters remove it for clean, balanced water.

Introduction

Fluoride—it’s one of the most debated additives in our drinking water.
While it occurs naturally in rocks and soil, fluoride is also intentionally added to most U.S. public water systems as a way to help prevent cavities. But growing research shows that too much fluoride may carry risks for bones, teeth, and long-term health.

That’s why many households are choosing water filters that remove fluoride—so they can take control of what flows from their own taps and ensure their families are drinking water that’s truly clean.

What Is Fluoride—and Why Is It in Our Water?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in groundwater, lakes, and oceans. In the mid-20th century, it began being added to public water supplies to reduce tooth decay (CDC Community Water Fluoridation).

While fluoridation helped lower cavity rates nationwide, it also introduced questions about exposure and dosage. Not all water sources contain the same levels of fluoride, and long-term consumption of water that exceeds recommended limits can cause unwanted side effects.

When Too Much Fluoride Becomes a Problem

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high levels of fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis—changes in the appearance or strength of teeth and bones (EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations).

• Dental fluorosis often appears as white or brown spots on teeth, typically from childhood exposure.

• Skeletal fluorosis develops more slowly, after years of overexposure, and can cause stiffness, joint pain, and—over time—bone brittleness.

Fluoride is measured in parts per million (ppm). The EPA sets the maximum allowable limit for fluoride in drinking water at 4.0 ppm, and recommends utilities keep levels closer to 0.7 ppm—the range considered optimal for dental health without significant risk.

But depending on your region, pipes, or well source, fluoride levels can vary. For those who prefer to minimize their exposure, home filtration offers an easy solution.

Do We Need Fluoride for Healthy Teeth?

The short answer: fluoride has benefits when applied topically—but not necessarily when swallowed every day.

When your dentist uses fluoride, it’s applied directly to tooth enamel, then rinsed away. Drinking it continuously, however, doesn’t provide the same benefit and may lead to overexposure.

For that reason, more families are choosing to filter fluoride out of their water while continuing normal dental care. It’s a balanced approach—maintaining oral health without unnecessary chemical intake.

How Clearbrook Filters Remove Fluoride

Clearbrook’s PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements are specifically engineered to reduce fluoride in your drinking water safely and effectively.
Each element uses advanced adsorption media that targets fluoride ions, lowering them to well below detectable limits—while preserving beneficial minerals and clean, natural taste.

It’s the same purification technology trusted in medical missions, emergency response teams, and homes across the world—bringing peace of mind with every glass.

The Bottom Line

Fluoride may be common in public water systems, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in yours.

By filtering it out, you’re not rejecting science—you’re simply choosing control. Control over what enters your body, your family’s health, and the water you rely on every day.

Clearbrook filters make that simple: pure, balanced water—free from fluoride, full of life.