Importantly, the report doesnt evaluate the effect of fluoride in drinking water alone.
Less than 1% of people drink water with levels of fluoride that high.
The report has stirred controversy.
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Dental health organizations question the reports methods and say the findingscould be misinterpretedto stoke fears about fluoride exposure.
Its so important to get this right.
Its not to protect our reputation.
And we have a chance of not losing any more trust in public health.
Why Is Fluoride Added to Water Supply?
Fluorides are compounds that contain both fluorine and another element, like a metal.
They occur naturally in the environment and in some foods, like tea and shellfish.
Nearly all water contains fluoride, though the amount present depends on the source.
They discovered that high levels of fluoride in drinking water were to blame for those stains, called fluorosis.
As it turned out, the people with fluoride-stained teeth were also surprisingly resistant to tooth decay.
Some studies indicate that fluoride protects teeth through topical app rather than through systemic exposure.
In other words, scrubbing your teeth with fluoridatedtoothpasteis one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay.
Drinking water may not be the most efficient way to get the protective effects of fluoride.
Still, the American Dental Association has unreservedly advocated for community water fluoridation since 1950.
What Does the New Report Say?
In the following years, researchers probed that link further.
The review found low to moderate evidence of a connection.
This latest report incorporated data from human studies.
More studies are available for children.
Eight out of nine high-quality studies found that fluoride exposure negatively affected neurodevelopmental or cognitive outcomes in children.
The working group also considered 72 studies that analyzed how fluoride exposure related to childrens IQs.
Is Fluoride Really Neurotoxic?
However, the problem is that the conclusions are very weak, Grandjean said.
When you have the lead industry poisoning people and misrepresenting the data, weve come to expect that.
We should not expect that, or accept it, from public health agencies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics highlighted some limitations of the study.
IQ has long been used as a measurement to understand the neurological effects of environmental toxins, includingleadand arsenic.
Can You Limit Fluoride Exposure But Still Protect Your Teeth?
But if youre concerned about getting too much fluoride, there are some steps you could take.
you’ve got the option to check your water intake using the CDCs My Waters Fluoride page.
Young children should also be encouraged not to swallow it.
Why are we focused so single-mindedly on policies on water fluoridation?
Why arent we providing free dental care for children?
Why arent we targeting sugar consumption?
Why arent we regulating the marketing of sugary beverages and cereals to children?
We need to think about whats in the best interest of children of pregnant women.
If you’re concerned, check your local water supply’s fluoride levels and consider using a filter.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ten great public health achievementsUnited States, 19001999.
National Toxicology Program (NTP).
2024.NTP Monograph on the State of the Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition: A Systematic Review.
Research Triangle Park, NC: National Toxicology Program.
NTP Monograph 08. doi: 10.22427/NTP-MGRAPH-8
American Dental Association.Fluoridation facts.
Iamandii I, De Pasquale L, Giannone ME, et al.Does fluoride exposure affect thyroid function?
A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Environ Res.
2024;242:117759. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117759
American Academy of Pediatrics.AAP stands by recommendations for low fluoride levels to prevent caries.
