How To Test For Fluoride (Top 3 Ways)

After conducting hundreds of fluoride tests at Truth About Fluoride, I think I may know a thing or two about answering, how to test for fluoride in water?

So let me explain what you need to know.

How To Test For Fluoride In Water? (Top 3 Ways)

You’d think since fluoride is in the water millions of people drink, it would be easy to test for.

However, it’s not that easy…

Mainly due to the fact, it’s extremely hard to find information on how to do it properly. As most Google searches will give you inaccurate or straight up, bad advice.

Now as it stands, there are 3 ways to test for fluoride in water:

• Official Lab Tests
• Testing Strips
• Fluoride Meters

And realistically, not all these options are worth your time and money.

1. Official Fluoride Lab Test

For the longest time, I was not a fan of this method.

It was hard to find a lab, it was pricey, and overall it was not simple to do.

However, there is one website that makes it extremely easy and they go by the name of TapScore.

On their website you can find testing for all kinds of contaminants but if you want to test for fluoride in your water, you want to get the Fluoride Water Test (link to their website).

Now once you buy and receive your testing kit.

You’ll get everything you need and very easy instructions to follow.

And basically, all you have to do is fill up the little tube with water, put it back in the box, and ship it back (shipping is free both ways).

Then in a couple days, you’ll receive your fluoride test results.

Now the only other thing I’d consider is getting anyone of their City or Well water testing kits. All of these kits (Essential, Advanced, and Extended) include testing for fluoride and you’ll be able to get more information about your water.

So in general, I’d say this is the most convenient and efficient way of testing water for fluoride.

2. Fluoride Testing Strips

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet.

When it comes to testing fluoride with testing strips, it’s a complete waste of your time and money.

Testing strips don’t work, even if they say they do.

For example, I bought myself testing strips that said they were able to test fluoride (circled in red, in the picture below).

However, I quickly returned it as it was giving me unreliable test results.

The testing strips were giving me the exact same fluoride levels for everything I tested.

For example, it’s well known where I live (Toronto, Canada) that fluoride levels in tap water are commonly 0.6 ppm and the fluoride water filter I use provides fluoride-free water.

Yet somehow, the test strips were showing the same fluoride levels for both of them.

So in other words, testing strips don’t work for fluoride and you should avoid them.

3. Fluoride Meters

This is the method I use to test everything on this website.

Now, besides getting an official lab test, a fluoride meter is the only other option to test fluoride in water. And there are two to choose from: Extech and Apera (link to Amazon).

But I’d recommend the one from Extech.

It’s cheaper, easier to use, and just as accurate as the one from Apera.

How To Test For Fluoride Using A Fluoride Meter

Using a fluoride meter is very easy and takes less than 60 seconds.

Here’s the entire process broken down into 3 simple steps…

Step 1: Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

In order to start testing fluoride in a liquid (water, coffee, tea).

You’ll need to make sure you have everything you need, 3 things specifically:

• Fluoride Meter
• TISAB Tablets (comes with meter)
• Fluoride Standard Solution (1 ppm)

The reason you need the fluoride standard solution is to calibrate the fluoride meter.

This basically tells the fluoride meter what 1 ppm of fluoride looks like, which it then uses to compare against other liquids you test.

And once you calibrate it, you can move onto step 2…

Step 2: Dissolve a TISAB Tablet

After you set-up the fluoride meter by following the instructions provided.

Fill up the plastic container with whatever you want to test.

Once you have 20 ml of what you want to test, place and dissolve 1 TISAB tablet into the liquid.

To speed up the process you can crush the tablet with some chopsticks and swirl the water around.

Step 3: Place Fluoride Meter Into Solution

Once the tablet is completely dissolved.

All you have to do is place the fluoride meter into the little container and press “ON“.

In about 35 seconds, the fluoride level will show on the fluoride meter’s screen.

It’s that easy!

Now that wraps up the article on how to test for fluoride.

At this point it’s up to you on figuring out which option is best for you.

I’d say if you want to test many things for fluoride then the fluoride meter seems like a good choice.

But if you want the easiest, most convenient way, and maybe even information on many other contaminants. Then buying a testing kit from Tapscore is the way to go.

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Cheers!