Let's talk about fluoride in our water. By now, you probably already know that fluoride is added to tap water, mainly to help prevent tooth decay. But lately, more and more people are starting to wonder about the downsides, such as the potential health risks of actually drinking the fluoride day in, day out. This worry can be even bigger when it comes to kids.

Because of this, a lot of people are now looking into ways to get the fluoride out of their drinking water. And that's where fluoride water filters come into the picture. Below, we list our top picks for the best fluoride water filters you can get for your home.

1. HPF 7 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: Best for Highest Contaminant Removal

2. HPF 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: 2nd Best for Highest Contaminant Removal or alternatively the HPF 4 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System with Low Alkaline is the same system but makes slightly less alkaline water, which might be more suitable if you have kids in the household.

3. ULTRAPURE Aragon 10" Twin Benchtop & Under Sink Water Filter System with Fluoride Removal: Best Fluoride Removal Water Filter for the Family

4. Philips Aquaporin Reverse Osmosis Water Station, with compressor cooling ADD6921DG/79: Best Fluoride Removal Water Filter for getting instant filtered water

5. Filteroo® Superoo 12L, 16L & 20L Stainless Steel Gravity Water Filter with Fluoride Removal: Best Fluoride Removal Gravity Water Filter

There are several types of fluoride water filters on the market, including activated alumina filters, reverse osmosis filters and distillation filters.

Activated alumina filters use a special type of aluminum oxide that attracts fluoride ions and captures them, while reverse osmosis and distillation filters use more complex processes to remove fluoride and other contaminants from the water.

Choosing a filter isn't just grabbing the first one you see. There are a few things to mull over.

First up, what kind of filter do you actually need? If your goal is to strip out pretty much everything, including fluoride and chlorine, then something like a reverse osmosis (RO) water filter might be your best bet. These are highly effective at filtering unwanted contaminants in your water. But, if you want something simpler that doesn't require plumbing, then a gravity-fed filter using activated alumina could be a good option. They're usually easier to set up.

You also need to think about:

• How much water it filters: Does it suit your household size?

• How quickly it filters: The flow rate matters if you need water urgently.

• The cost: Both upfront and for replacing the filter cartridges down the track.

1. Gets Rid of Contaminants: This is the main one, obviously. A good filter tackles fluoride, but it doesn't stop there. It can also help remove other chemicals often found in tap water, things like chlorine (which gives that swimming pool smell), lead and even arsenic.

2. Better Tasting Water: Lots of people reckon filtered water just tastes nicer. It gets rid of any slightly off flavours or smells, often from chlorine or sometimes the fluoride itself. Makes grabbing a glass of water much more pleasant.

3. Potential Health Upsides: Look, the debate about fluoride safety is definitely ongoing. But filtering it out gives you peace of mind. If you're worried about the stuff potentially linked to health issues (some studies mention thyroid problems, dental fluorosis and even neurological concerns), then filtering is a practical step towards drinking water you feel happier about.

4. Saves You Money (in the long run): If you're currently buying heaps of bottled water, a filter can actually save you money over time. Plus, you're cutting down on all that plastic waste, which is a bonus.

5. Healthier Cooking: Makes sense, right? If you're cooking pasta, rice, soups or just boiling veggies, using filtered water means you're not adding any unwanted chemicals from the tap water into your meals.

Many Australians, right across the country, are drinking fluoridated tap water. It's been the standard for over 70 years. While the idea was dental health, there are genuine concerns floating around right now. 

Some health professionals argue that the type of fluoride added isn't pure and can be mixed with other harmful chemicals like arsenic, lead, mercury and others because it's sometimes sourced as an industrial byproduct.

Again, while the official line is that it's safe in controlled amounts, studies have popped up linking fluoride to various health problems. Things like dental fluorosis (those white spots on teeth), thyroid issues, neurological problems and even a suggested increased risk of bone cancer in boys have been mentioned in research. It's definitely enough to make you think.

On top of the human health side, really high fluoride concentrations aren't great for animals or the environment either. Maybe that's partly why several countries in Western Europe decided against fluoridating their water – only about 2% of people over there drink fluoridated water.

It's also worth remembering that kids get fluoride from toothpaste too. Some argue that many kids are already getting more than the recommended daily amount just from brushing, even before they drink tap water. And there have been some concerning studies linking higher fluoride exposure in kids to lower IQ scores. That definitely adds to the worries about adding it to the water we all drink.

So, while the debate continues and experts don't all agree, it's pretty important to just be aware of the potential risks. Knowing what's possibly involved lets you make your own choices. 

Using a decent fluoride water filter is simply an effective way to take control, remove the fluoride from your drinking water and hopefully reduce any potential negative effects for you and your family.