AUSTRALIA: A recent study published on ZME Science by Mihai Andrei highlights findings that fluoride in water is not associated with lower IQ, countering longstanding claims that fluoridation may negatively impact child neurodevelopment. This research comes in the wake of a 2024 U.S. federal report that raised concerns about fluoride exposure potentially leading to slightly lower IQ in children. Although that report admitted only “moderate” confidence in its conclusions, it sparked heated debates among scientists, policymakers, and the general public.
The new study, conducted in Australia, provides evidence that fluoridated water not only poses no cognitive disadvantages but might even be linked to marginally higher IQ scores.
Details of the Study
The Australian study analyzed data from 357 participants, aged 16–26, who were part of the 2012–2014 National Child Oral Health Study. Researchers used the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition (WAIS-IV), a highly regarded tool for measuring cognitive performance. They also accounted for variables such as socioeconomic background, breastfeeding duration, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses to ensure the reliability of their findings.
According to Professor Loc Do of the University of Queensland, one of the study’s lead researchers, “We also found people who had dental fluorosis — a reliable biomarker related to excessive fluoride intake in early childhood — had IQ scores 0.28 points higher on average than those without.”
The results showed no adverse effects on cognitive performance from fluoride exposure during early childhood. In fact, participants who consumed fluoridated water had slightly higher full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores compared to those who didn’t.
“There have been claims water fluoridation can negatively affect children’s neurodevelopment, but these results provide consistent evidence this is not the case,” Professor Do noted.
The Debate Over Fluoride
Fluoride is widely used in public water supplies and dental products to prevent tooth decay. Despite its proven benefits, it has been a controversial subject for decades, with critics often citing potential neurotoxic effects, particularly on developing brains during infancy and early childhood.
The controversy gained momentum when the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) initially labeled fluoride as a developmental hazard. However, the NTP later revised its stance, citing insufficient evidence to substantiate such claims.
This new study adds weight to the argument that fluoridation is safe, contradicting earlier claims and providing critical reassurance to public health advocates.
Global Fluoridation Practices
The practice of water fluoridation varies significantly across the globe. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Ireland actively fluoridate public water supplies as a preventative measure against dental caries. In contrast, many European nations, including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, opt out of fluoridation, either relying on natural fluoride levels or alternative dental health strategies.
The findings from this Australian study are particularly relevant for policymakers in fluoridating countries. They underscore the long-standing evidence that community water fluoridation effectively prevents tooth decay without posing cognitive risks.
Reassurance for Public Health Advocates
The results of this study are a critical contribution to the fluoride debate. By providing robust evidence that fluoridation does not harm brain development, the research reaffirms the safety of a practice that has long been a cornerstone of public health.
For policymakers and communities, this study offers important reassurance: fluoridated water remains a safe and effective tool for combating tooth decay, without any evidence of cognitive harm. As Professor Loc Do’s findings suggest, the time may be ripe to focus less on hypothetical risks and more on the tangible benefits of fluoride in public health.
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