The debate over the benefits and harms of fluoride continues, as RFK Jr. — incoming President Trump’s pick for HHS Secretary — is pushing to remove it from US waters.
“Fluoride is an industrial waste linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, loss of IQ, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease,” RFK wrote in a post on X in November.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics on Jan. 6 found another correlation between fluoride exposure and children’s IQs.
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Study co-author Kyla Taylor, PhD, based in North Carolina, noted that fluoridated water has been used for “decades” to reduce cavities and improve oral health.
Fluoride exposure has been linked to many negative health effects, yet it benefits oral health. (Stock)
“However, there is concern that pregnant women and children receive fluoride from many sources, including drinking water, fermented foods and drinks, tea, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash, and that their exposure to fluoride is too high and may be harmful. child. , child and infant neurodevelopment,” he told Fox News Digital.
A new study, led by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), analyzed 74 epidemiological studies on children’s IQ and fluoride exposure.
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The study measured fluoride in drinking water and urine across 10 countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. (None made in the US)
A meta-analysis found a “statistically significant association” between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ scores for children, according to Taylor.
“[It showed] that the more a child is exposed to fluoride, the more likely the child’s IQ will be lower if not exposed,” she said.
The scientists found a “statistically significant association” between high fluoride exposure and children’s lower IQ scores. (Stock)
These results were consistent with six previous meta-analyses, all of which reported a “statistically significant inverse association” between fluoride exposure and children’s IQs, Taylor emphasized.
The study found that for every 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, there was a 1.63 point decrease in IQ.
‘Safe’ exposure levels
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established 1.5mg/L as a “safe upper limit” for fluoride in drinking water.
“There is concern that pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from too many sources.”
Meanwhile, the US Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L in drinking water.
“There was insufficient data to determine whether 0.7 mg/L of fluoride exposure in drinking water affects children’s IQs,” Taylor noted.
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High levels of the chemical can be found in public fountains and water that serve nearly three million people in the US, the researcher said.
He encouraged pregnant women and parents of young children to be aware of their total fluoride intake.
About three million people have access to wells and public water with fluoride levels above the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. (Stock)
“If their water is fluoridated, they may wish to change their tap water to low-fluoride bottled water, such as purified water, and reduce exposure to other sources, such as dental products or black tea,” she said.
“Parents can use low-fluoride bottled water to mix with powdered baby formula and reduce the use of fluoridated toothpaste by young children.”
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Although the study did not aim to address the broader public health implications of water fluoridation in the US, Taylor suggested that the findings could help inform future research on the impact of fluoride on children’s health.
A dental health expert shares some warnings
In response to this study and other previous studies, Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, is an oral health educator based in Austin, Texastold Fox News Digital that he does not support the flow of water.
The study researcher encouraged parents of young children to be aware of their total fluoride intake. (Stock)
“I join those who strongly oppose the installation of public water, and I question why our water is still fluoridated in the 21st century,” he wrote in an email.
“There are cities and countries that are not fluoridated where the public enjoys high levels of oral health, which in some cases appear to be better than those that are fluoridated.”
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Phillips called the fluoride debate “confusing” even among dentists, as the American Dental Association (ADA) promotes the use of fluoride to prevent cavities through water fluoridation, toothpaste and mouthwash – “sometimes in high places.”
Fluoride is used in water, toothpaste and mouthwash to help prevent cavities. (Stock)
“[But] Biologic (holistic) dentists often encourage their patients to fear fluoride and avoid its use altogether, even if their teeth are decaying due to tooth decay,” he said.
“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic use poses risks.”
Phillips urged the public to consider the diversity of fluoride compounds, the impact of varying concentrations and the “huge difference” between applying fluoride topically and ingesting it.
“Topical fluoride has benefits, while systemic use poses risks,” he warned.
“People need to manage their oral health using natural and informed strategies.”
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The research received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Intramural Research Program.
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