A U.S. government report expected to stir debate concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children.
The report, based on an analysis of previously published research, marks the first time a federal agency has determined — “with moderate confidence” — that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. While the report was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoride in drinking water alone, it is a striking acknowledgment of a potential neurological risk from high levels of fluoride.
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.
“I think this (report) is crucial in our understanding” of this risk, said Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher who has studied the affect of higher fluoride levels in pregnant women on their children. She called it the most rigorously conducted report of its kind.
Fluoride is naturally in the water in my area. Most toothpaste also has fluoride added into it. Guess I’m destined to be a lemon. Just don’t taste me after brushing.
Fluoride is naturally in most water sources. As long as your water is within limits, you’re fine using fluoride toothpaste.
You’re not eating your toothpaste are you?
What?
It said paste!
Fluoride in toothpaste is fine because you spit it out.
Adding it to drinking water is the problematic issue.
Having it at unsafe levels in drinking water.
A child would have to eat something like 10 entire tubes of toothpaste for fluoride to become toxic. Kids are gonna be fine.
Even if you swallowed your toothpaste, you’d be fine because the amount of fluoride is so insignificant.