Fluoride has been an ally in the fight against bad teeth since 1945.
However, some pregnant women and children may be getting more fluoride than they need because they get it from so many sources, according to a review of the published scientific literature by the National Toxicology Program.
In addition to public drinking water, fluoride can be found in food and water-added beverages, tea, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash.
The NTP, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, began studying its effects in 2016.
It found that high levels of fluoride are introductory, “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”
High fluoride levels are considered those with at least 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter.
Earlier suggestions that the government’s effort to prevent tooth decay could have side effects were often deleted or dismissed, according to several news outlets, including Blaze Media.
Rosemary Stein, MD works at the International Family Clinic, a pediatric practice in Burlington, North Carolina.
She said she was surprised to see this study, as she’s sure most people were.
However, he noted that the dentist’s chair is not the only place where people are exposed to fluoride.
“I’d like to know how long they’ve been looking at this information because it’s left, I think, all of us with more questions than they’ve answered, because if fluoride leads to lower IQ, and we all get our fair share. of fluoridated water, then I guess we all have a lower IQ.”
The review was designed to assess total exposure to fluoride from all sources and was not designed to assess the health effects of fluoridated drinking water alone. The data were insufficient to determine whether the low fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter currently recommended for US community water supplies has a negative effect on children’s IQ, the NTP said.
Stein said her daughter, who received frequent fluoride treatments growing up, is now in medical school.
“Whenever she was at the clinic, which she grew up in part at the clinic, she had her share of fluoridated water because the clinic is in the city. I don’t know how to think that maybe her IQ could have been better if I hadn’t done those things, but overall, I mean she’s done pretty well and I’m sure that’s the experience that most people will have.”
Stein mentioned a fluoride treatment called a fluoride stain. He said they see a greatly reduced number of cavities in patients who get it.
So, ultimately, he said it comes down to an individual decision by the parents. What is most important to you? Would parents choose a treatment to help prevent tooth decay in children, or possibly maintain a higher IQ?
Other possible culprits
Chances are fluoride is not the main culprit if your IQ is less than desired.
“I don’t think anyone should be too concerned. There are a lot of other reasons for this: diet, environment, too much time spent on electronics, to worry about fluoride being one of the causes,” Stein said.
Fluoride probably shouldn’t be on anyone’s top 10 IQ blocker list, Stein said, a child’s mental capacity and potential are too important not to take the study seriously.
Most brands of bottled water have lower levels of detectable fluoride. That could be an option, Stein said.
“Our kids need as much help as they can get, so if there’s something that’s impairing their cognitive abilities, I think we should consider taking them off the list,” she said.
