Fluoride is once again in the news, and not for a great reason.
Historically, fluoride has been added to our water to strengthen our tooth enamel, which helps prevent cavities.
The review,publishedinJAMA Pediatrics, isnt the only recent study to throw some shade at fluoride.
Is fluoride in tap water dumbing us down? We asked the experts.© Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty
The scientific debate over fluorides positives and negatives isnt one-sided, however.
Some scientistshavecriticizedthe methodology and interpretations of the recent review, for instance.
The following responses have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
The authors cannot attribute the IQ deficits to fluoride in water because the study quality is low.
These studies measured fluoride in drinking water and IQ in children at the same time.
This potential bias is sometimes known as the cart-before-the-horse bias.
Also, studies conducted in animals and humans cannot explain how fluoride could affect the brain.
Fluoride is recommended at 0.7 mg/L for U.S. community water supplies.
Arecent Australian studyby Do et al.
Fluoride is a reactive chemical that binds strongly to calcium and metals.
What Did the Study Find?
Taylors team reviewed 74 studies from 10 countries linking fluoride exposure to IQ scores.
Are These Findings Relevant to Fluoridated Communities?
First, no apparent threshold was identified.
Does Fluoridation Protect Against Tooth Decay?
It is time to critically review the benefits of fluoride.
Fluorides cavity-preventing effects are primarily topical, not systemic, and provide no benefit until teeth erupt.
Should You Be Concerned?
Public health agencies must re-evaluate fluoridation guidelines based on new evidence.
Comprehensive studies that measure individual levels of exposure in the US population from all sources of fluoride are needed.
Individuals who are interested to know the level of fluoride in their drinking water should contact their water supplier.
Bottled water is not regulated for the presence of fluoride or other contaminants and is generally not recommended.
While the recent meta-analysis by Taylor et al.
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