The Fluoride Debate

What if everything you’ve been told about fluoride is only half the story?

For decades, fluoride has been hailed as essential for strong, healthy teeth. Dentists recommend it. It’s in our water, toothpaste...

...and even kids’ dental treatments.

The CDC named water fluoridation one of the “Top 10 Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century.”

But what if there is more to the story than we were told?

In recent years, doctors and researchers have raised questions about fluoride and children’s developing bodies and brains.

For parents, it’s a good reason to take a fresh look at what we’re putting in our kids’ mouths.

The Question: What New Research Says About Fluoride and Children

For years, fluoride has been presented as the secret to cavity-free teeth. But newer research is raising questions, especially for children.

A federal study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a link between high fluoride exposure during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children (Green et al., 2019).

Another review by the National Toxicology Program reported evidence that fluoride may affect brain development, particularly in children and pregnant women (National Toxicology Program, 2024).

Fluoride isn’t only a dental question. It is a whole-body one.

Neurodevelopment: research suggests fluoride may affect a child’s brain development.

Bone health: high fluoride intake has been associated with an increased risk of fractures and with skeletal fluorosis, a condition in which bones become brittle and painful.

Hormones: did you know fluoride was once prescribed to lower thyroid function? That same compound is now in our water and dental products.

The takeaway: it is reasonable for parents to take a closer look at fluoride.