Since I was a child, I have always considered fluoride a good thing for preventing tooth decay. I’ve always taken regular trips to the dentist, brushed with a fluoride toothpaste and generally taken good care of my teeth. So I was surprised last week to see a new review raising some questions about the safety of fluoride consumption.
The report – written by Harvard researchers and funded by the National Institute of Public Health – reviewed 27 studies published over a period of 22 years that looked into whether fluoride damaged the nervous systems of people. The studies included measured exposure to fluoride in drinking water related to cognitive function tests and IQ scores.
The researchers found that children living in areas where fluoride is added to the water score lower on IQ and cognitive tests compared with children living in areas where fluoride is not added to the water. The conclude that fluoride may be a developmental neurotoxicant for children that affects brain development at exposures much below those that can cause toxicity in adults.
What surprised me the most is that 70 percent of U.S. households live in communities where fluoride is added to the water. That’s millions of Americans ingesting an additive that has unclear long-term effects.
The report also calls for additional studies to evaluate dose-response relationship of fluoride – basically how much is needed to prevent cavities without causing harmful side effects
I feel lucky that my community does not add fluoride to our water supply. And I have to admit – since reviewing this new report – I’ve been much more careful about limiting the amount of toothpaste on my children’s brushes each day.
Fluoride in the water…bad idea. I am a dental hygienist, have been for 30 years. I make a non-fluoridated toothpaste called Xylopaste. Its made with Xylitol…better than Fluoride with no side effects. Even if we all don’t agree…I would hope people do the research and make healthier choices…PS did I mention Fluoride is a bad idea for oral and general health?
Yes, people do walk out of the Doctors office with rx for Fluoride. Geez…how many dental professionals are commenting on this issue…I’m guessing none. Fluoride is toxic. Both of you need to do some research before defending Fluoridation. I’m a Registered Dental Hygienist. Ive been in practice about 30 years with constant education in the use of Fluoride. I scripted the benefits to patients until challenged by a patient. I went back to the drawing board so to speak. Note: Alzheimers, Dimentia, ADHD, Hypothyroidism, Low IQ. Stop being such sheep! don’t respond until you’ve done the research.
I don’t know what report you read but it doesn’t say that at all.
It actually says only at extremely high doses, orders of magnitude higher than in regulated water supplies does that occur.
The report actually says at does ranges used in regulated water supplies there was a lightly higher iq noted, but that it was well inside the error range for the data.
What is your last name?
Only 5% of the world and only 3% of Europe fluoridate dringking water.
Fluoride is neither a nutrient nor essential for healthy teeth. No adult has ever walked out of their doctor’s office with a prescription for the fluoride drug because it is deadly poison and the body has no known use for it. It is never included in any multi-vitamin formulation. Drinking it to prevent tooth decay is as foolish as drinking sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Every fluoride toothpaste tube carries the warning “if swallowed, call a poison control center immediately.”
As a top scientist and the premier international authority on fluoride, last year Dr. Paul Connett’s published his most recent book “The Case Against Fluoride.” It contains over 1200 studies (80 pages) and sound scientific reasoning showing the ineffectiveness and dangers to health including cancer, thyroid & pineal gland damage, broken hips from brittle bones, lowered IQ, kidney disease, arthritis and other serious health problems.