I’m planning on getting a plumbed-in coffeemaker that requires a water filter. Do basic under sink models (the ones where you twist a cartridge on a mount rather than connect both ends to the water line) strip out the fluoride? (Hope I’m not going to wreck my teeth with this upgrade).
So you want the fluoride?
If you brush and floss regularly you have nothing to worry about.
Yeah, what’s wrong with it?
Most filters leave the fluoride in. The only one I know removes it is reverse osmosis units, which are too big and bulky to be built into a coffee maker.
Nothing wrong as it is a personal choice, but it is rare to me that someone who wants to go to the trouble to install a dedicated water line filter for coffee would want fluoride in it.
Unless it specifically states it removes fluoride it isn’t going to be effective in doing so. Fluoride can be removed with RD and activated aluminum. Neither of those methods are present in a standard filter unit. Most cartridges for refrigerators and coffee makers are going to be activated carbon which is extremely unaffected for removing fluoride, they could reduce it as much activated 5% but I wouldn’t even expect that.
Most under sink filters use activated carbon and will not remove fluorides. Carbon will remove chlorine and bad taste. Reverse Osmosis is the best for removing fluorides.
I was raised where there was a high level of fluorides in our windmill well water. The first dentist I saw was at age 17, he said he could tell by looking at my teeth I had been drinking water with large amount of fluorides. Also that I would NEVER have a cavity. That’s been over 60 years ago. He was almost correct! I’ve had one cavity in my lifetime and have all my teeth. 
The above post not withstanding, reverse osmosis or it’s more common name ‘a water softener’, are only needed if you live in the country and have a well (as opposed to municipal water). Which would mean your water wasn’t fluoridated to begin with.
God willing, we will prevail, in the purity, and essence, of our natural … fluids.
Anyone can check with the CDC to see if their municipality floridates it’s water.
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp
Below is the data for Chicago. (Many of the suburbs surrounding Chicago use water supplied by Chicago.
*My Water’s Fluoride
Safe, effective prevention of tooth decay for people of all ages: Know if your water is optimally fluoridated.
Water System Details
My Water’s Fluoride Home > Search results > IL 0316000
Water System Name: CHICAGO
Water System ID Number: IL 0316000
Total population served by water system: 2896016
Primary county and population served: Cook 2896016
Water source: SURFACE
Water system type: Community
Does this water system supply fluoridated water?
See Note Below Yes. This water system adjusts the natural fluoride concentration upward to the optimal level for the prevention of dental caries (cavities).
Optimal fluoride concentration: 1.00 mg/L
Fluoride compound used: Fluorosilicic Acid
Date fluoridation started: August 1, 1956
This water system is under the jurisdiction of: State of Illinois
For further information, contact: IL Department of Public Health
Division of Oral Health
535 W. Jefferson St., 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62761
(217) 785-4899
rose.mutzbauer@illinois.gov
View operational reports for this jurisdiction
**Information on this page has been compiled from various sources. Verify information with local utility or health department before making any health based decisions.
This page was last reviewed by CDC on February 6, 2008. The data presented are the most recent provided by the state. *
Maybe this site will help?
*Most people are aware that there is a controversy surrounding public fluoridation of drinking water. Here is a list of ways to obtain drinking water without fluoride. In addition, I’ve listed water purification methods which do not remove fluoride from water.
How to Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water*
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/removefluoride.htm
This statement is incorrect.
Water softener is not a common name for reverse osmosis. Water softeners are RO units are very different equipment.
Fluoride can exist naturally in well water. Municipal supplies maintain a safe level of fluoride where as private water supplies sometimes need equipment because of unsafe levels.
in some areas, the water tastes just plain bad, not to mention it’s so damn hard it messes up many devices. So, a water filter is a excellent idea. I use one of those carafe ones myself.
To clear things up, reverse osmosis may make the water softer because it will remove the hardness in the water, but the two are not to be confused with each other, as a water softener only softens the water, whereas a reverse osmosis system will purify the water and remove anything present in the water.
As for fluoride being in the water, natural fluoride is great, but the poison they put in the water by municipalities is far from beneficial. Only less intelligent countries such as those in North America fluoridate their water. And those who are smart enough, remove it.
I don’t usually do this, but :rolleyes:
I am sure that we have had this discussion countless times on the boards. Fluoride is fluoride whether it is sourced naturally or added. The only thing that matters is the concentration. The amount added by municipalities is at a level that has been demonstrated to be effective at preventing tooth decay and has no adverse health effects. The scaremongering that has gone on for decades regarding fluoridation is without scientific justification despite the volumes that have been written.
As for the OP, fluoride salts are soluble. No amount of filtering is going to remove them. Adsorption onto carbon is also likely to be pretty low although I can’t give you a figure on that. I know that some chloride ions will adsorb onto activated carbon, but it sure won’t remove everything.
Putting this another way, you are going to need something a lot more sophisticated than an activated carbon filter to remove fluoride. But if you can remove anything that tastes bad and anything that is likely to produce precipitates then you have great coffee and are protecting your machine. And, as you seem to recognise, if the fluoride is retained, then you are still protecting your teeth.
That’s why I put in the Dr Strangelove quote. Are there really still people who think its bad?!
Indeed, an RO unit is a water softener, but a water softener isn’t an RO unit.
Note that you shouldn’t make a habit of drinking RO treated water, as it can affect your bodies mineral intake. Softened water is fine.
I’ve always heard that activated carbon alone (which is what’s in those basic filters you’re talking about) will not remove fluoride.
You are correct. Carbon filters will leave about 95% of the fluoride intact.