As a dental professional and health coach, I see and hear a variety of conversations on the benefits as well as drawbacks of fluoride. However, there is one perspective many people are not considering; how to work with what is and balance the effects on our body.

You see, the debate is either `yes, we need it` or `no, eliminate it`; yet, little is said about simply embracing what`s so and creating a healthier perspective in order to live in harmony with what `we`ve` created.

Yes, it is a known fact that we`ve been flooded with fluoride for the protection of tooth decay. In fact, it is about, if not, the best method known to man. And yes, there are toxic effects of having too much as we have discovered. The one aspect that doesn`t get discussed is what it does to the pH of the body. As a health coach, I`m curious.

The pH level of our body ultimately determines it`s wellbeing. When it`s too acidic, dis-ease and dis-order set in which is why I work with people to discover foods with a more alkalizing effect on their body. However, fluoride is in our water supply and air which means it`s more apt to be in our foods as well because fluoride does accumulate. Not only that, aluminum, the most abundant metal on the planet, is consumed on a regular basis as well. Now what does one have to do with the other? Good question.

Being curious, as I said, about whether or not fluoride has an acidic effect on the body, I continued my research and discovered ample information on a `condition` called Aluminum Fluoride Complex. In fact, it is what makes acid rain acidic.

The water content of the body is approximately 60%, depending on what study you read. However, when aluminum and fluoride combine and mix with water, the pH level of the water drops creating a more acidic base. So, what do we suppose is happening in our bodies?

If we are already consuming acid forming foods, then the medium is perfect for the formation of the aluminum fluoride complex. In fact, aluminum is not readily absorbed by the body unless fluoride and citrate are present making intestinal uptake increasingly possible. As a matter of fact, the standard American diet contains about 4 grams of citrate a day. In other words, like attracts like. The more acidic our diet, the more acid it makes which leads to health conditions we prefer to avoid including recurrent tooth decay, gum disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and so on; it all depends on your physiology.

Is it possible to eliminate fluoride? My best guess is probably not. It`s a naturally occurring element as is aluminum; however, there are measures we can take to reduce our consumption as well as detoxify the body. Our bodies are a microcosm of the macrocosm. To effect the whole, we must begin with the individual, collectively affecting the greater good. The bigger question is what do you want to do to be the healthiest you can be?