New Research Challenges Concerns About Fluoride‘s Impact on Cognitive Development
WASHINGTON – A new study published Wednesday in Science Advances adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that fluoride in drinking water does not negatively impact cognitive ability, and may even offer benefits, countering recent claims that prompted a review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The research, led by dr. Stuart Batterman at the University of Michigan, analyzed data from a large, nationally representative study and found no association between higher fluoride exposure during childhood and lower IQ scores.
The findings arrive amid renewed debate over water fluoridation, a public health practice implemented in the United States since the 1940s to prevent tooth decay. Recent studies, including research from Canada, had suggested a possible link between fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive function, prompting the FDA to launch a review of the science.
“Our study provides further evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation,” said Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner, in a news release regarding the agency’s ongoing evaluation. “It’s important to consider the totality of the evidence,including the benefits of fluoride for dental health and the potential impact on the gut microbiome.”
Dr. bruce Lanphear, an epidemiologist and professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada, emphasized the need for a complete assessment of all fluoride sources, including toothpaste and pesticides, when evaluating potential health effects.
The debate highlights the complexities of population-level health interventions. “Population strategies – like fluoridation, like vaccination, like taking lead out of gasoline – they can be extraordinarily powerful,” Dr. Lanphear stated. “But when you have a population strategy like fluoridation, the evidence about its safety and about its effectiveness has to be extraordinarily strong.”
However, Dr. David Savitz, an epidemiologist with the Brown University School of Public Health, argues that the burden of proof lies with demonstrating harm before dismantling a long-standing public health measure. In a formal response also published in Science Advances, he wrote, “Until clear evidence exists that water fluoridation lacks public health benefit or compelling evidence of harm at the level of fluoride exposure in fluoridated water, neither of which has occurred, it seems foolhardy to interfere with a long-established and well-recognized public health success.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Savitz invoked the adage of former President Jimmy carter’s aide,Bert Lance: “If it ain’t broke,don’t fix it.” He concluded that the new research further reinforces the safety of current fluoridation practices.
