Children exposed to higher levels of fluoride tend to have lower IQ: study

The debate over the benefits and risks of fluoride continues as RFK Jr., incoming President Trump’s pick for HHS secretary, pushes to eliminate it from the U.S. water supply.

“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with 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 January 6 found another correlation between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ.

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Study co-author Kyla Taylor, PhD, who lives in North Carolina, noted that fluoridated water has been used “for decades” to reduce tooth decay and improve oral health.

Fluoride exposure has been linked to a variety of negative health effects, but it benefits oral health. (iStock)

“However, there is concern that pregnant women and children get fluoride from many sources, including drinking water, foods and beverages with added water, teas, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash, and that their total fluoride exposure is too high and may affect the neurological development of the fetus, infant and child,” said Fox News Digital.

He new researchLed by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), it analyzed 74 epidemiological studies on children’s IQ and fluoride exposure.

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The studies measured fluoride in drinking water and urine in 10 countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. (None were made in the US)

The meta-analysis found a “statistically significant association” between higher fluoride exposure and lower children’s IQ scoresaccording to Taylor.

“(It showed) that the more fluoride a child is exposed to, the more likely their IQ will be lower than if they were not exposed,” he said.

The scientists found a “statistically significant association” between higher fluoride exposure and children’s lower IQ scores. (iStock)

These results were consistent with six previous meta-analyses, all of which reported the same “statistically significant inverse associations” between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ, Taylor emphasized.

The research found that for every 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, there was a 1.63-point decrease in IQ.

‘Safe’ exposure levels

He World Health Organization (WHO) has established 1.5 mg/L as the “safe upper limit” for fluoride in drinking water.

“There is concern that pregnant women and children get fluoride from many sources.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L in drinking water.

“There were not enough data to determine whether exposure to 0.7 mg/L fluoride in drinking water affected children’s IQ,” Taylor noted.

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Higher levels of the chemical can be found in wells and community water that supplies nearly three million people in the U.S., the researcher noted.

He encouraged pregnant women and parents of young children to consider their total fluoride intake.

Nearly three million people have access to wells and community water with fluoride levels higher than those suggested by the World Health Organization. (iStock)

“If their water is fluoridated, they may want to replace their tap water with low-fluoride bottled water, such as purified waterand limit exposure from other sources, such as dental products or black tea,” she said.

“Parents can use low-fluoride bottled water to mix with powdered infant formula to limit young children’s use of fluoridated toothpaste.”

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While the research was not intended to address the broader public health implications of water fluoridation in the US, Taylor suggested the findings could help inform future research on the impact of fluoride on children’s health.

Dental health expert shares precautions

In response to this study and other previous research, Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator based in Austin, Texastold Fox News Digital that he does not support water fluoridation.

The study researcher encouraged parents of young children to consider their total fluoride intake. (iStock)

“I join those who vehemently oppose public water fluoridation and question why our water supplies are still fluoridated in the 21st century,” he wrote in an email.

“There are non-fluoridated cities and countries where the public enjoys high levels of oral healthwhich in some cases seem better than fluorinated ones.

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Phillips called the fluoride debate “confusing” even among dentists, as the American Dental Association (ADA) advocates the use of fluoride for cavity prevention by fluoridating water, toothpaste and mouthwash. , “sometimes in high concentrations.”

Fluoride is used in water, toothpaste, and mouthwash to help prevent cavities. (iStock)

“(But) biological (holistic) dentists generally encourage their patients to fear fluoride and avoid its use altogether, even if their teeth are ravaged by cavities,” he said.

“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks.”

Phillips encouraged the public to consider the different fluoride compounds, the effect of different concentrations, and the “extreme difference” between topical application of fluoride and ingestion.

“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks,” he warned.

“Individuals must take charge of their own oral health using natural and informed strategies.”

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The study received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Intramural Research Program.