The Safety of Water Fluoridation

• Water fluoridation safety is under scrutiny due to recent studies linking high fluoride exposure to potential cognitive risks in children.
• A federal judge has ordered the EPA to reassess fluoride regulations, indicating a need for updated safety evaluations.
• The debate involves balancing proven dental health benefits against potential risks, with ongoing research and policy discussions.
• Current recommendations maintain a fluoride level of 0.7 mg/L in drinking water, reduced from previous guidelines.
• The issue remains contentious, with differing viewpoints from various health organizations and researchers.

Viewpoint 1: Fluoridation is Safe and Beneficial for Public Health

‍TL;DR: Major health organizations endorse water fluoridation as a safe, cost-effective method for preventing tooth decay, backed by decades of scientific evidence and significant improvements in dental health across communities.

‍Snippets from around the web

‍Community water fluoridation is the controlled adjustment of fluoride in a public water supply to optimal concentration in order to prevent dental caries (tooth decay) among members of the community. Fluoridation has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. The American Dental Association continues to endorse fluoridation of community water supplies as safe and effective for preventing tooth decay. - American Dental Association, https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/fluoride-topical-and-systemic-supplements

‍Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities (also called tooth decay) by about 25% in children and adults. By preventing cavities, community water fluoridation has been shown to save money both for families and for the US health care system. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/index.htm

‍Water fluoridation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions ever devised. It's been shown to reduce dental caries by 20-40% in children and adults. The risks are minimal - dental fluorosis is the main one, and that's largely cosmetic. The benefits far outweigh the risks, especially for lower socioeconomic groups who may not have access to regular dental care. - Reddit user, https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ocja6/is_water_fluoridation_really_safe_or_necessary/

‍Fluoridation of drinking water remains the most effective and socially equitable means of achieving community-wide exposure to the caries prevention effects of fluoride. It has been endorsed by major public health organizations worldwide. Extensive research conducted over the past 50 years has consistently indicated that the fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective in preventing dental decay in both children and adults. - World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/fluoride_drinking_water_full.pdf

‍Fluoridated water is widely acknowledged as one of the most successful public health measures ever undertaken. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. The American Dental Association, the World Health Organization and more than 100 other national and international organizations recognize the public health benefits of fluoridation for preventing dental decay. - The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/science/dental-sealants-cavities-teeth.html

Viewpoint 2: Fluoridation Poses Potential Health Risks and Violates Personal Choice

TL;DR: Recent studies suggest a link between fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive function in children, raising concerns about the safety of water fluoridation. Critics argue that mass fluoridation violates individual choice and may pose unnecessary health risks.

‍Snippets from around the web

‍There is now a large body of evidence to demonstrate that fluoride is neurotoxic. The Fluoride Action Network has chronicled the rapidly increasing number of studies that have been conducted in recent years, with over 60 studies now linking fluoride to reduced IQ in humans. These studies have been conducted primarily in China, Iran, India and Mexico. - Fluoride Action Network, https://fluoridealert.org/issues/health/

‍In this study, higher prenatal fluoride exposure, in the general range of exposures reported for other general population samples of pregnant women and nonpregnant adults, was associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive function in the offspring at age 4 and 6–12 y. - Environmental Health Perspectives, https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP655

‍Fluoride in the water supply is a neurotoxin that affects brain development. It's not just a conspiracy theory anymore. There are numerous peer-reviewed studies showing the negative effects of fluoride on cognitive development, especially in children. We're essentially being mass medicated without consent. - Reddit user, https://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/comments/10mnw9t/fluoride_in_the_water_supply_is_a_neurotoxin_that/

‍Fluoride exposure may be causing kidney problems, according to a study published in the journal Environment International. Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that there is a potential connection between fluoride exposure and kidney and liver health issues. - Natural News, https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-08-30-fluoride-linked-to-worse-kidney-function.html

‍A controversial new study links fluoride in drinking water during pregnancy to lower IQ in children. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that increased levels of fluoride were associated with decreases in child IQ at 3 to 4 years of age. These findings are sure to stir debate surrounding the public health measure to prevent tooth decay. - Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/health/fluoride-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-lower-iq-in-controversial-study