New research has sought to find out if early childhood exposure to the chemical fluoride has an impact on the cognitive neurodevelopment of children. The topic of fluoride has been in the news a lot recently, so research into this subject is important. The findings may help to shape public health policy towards fluoride.
One of the most polarizing scientific debates in the modern day revolves around the chemical fluoride – with its impact and whether or not it should be added to the public water supply being heated discussion points.
Research has consistently found that fluoride is good for our oral health. It helps to strengthen our enamel, combat tooth decay, and fight off harmful bacteria [1].
However, there have been concerns raised regarding fluoride’s impact on children, including fears of over-exposure to the chemical and its impact on cognitive development [2].
Now, two senior organizations in oral healthcare have announced the publication of a new study that examines how cognitive development among young children is affected by exposure to fluoride.
Background
As discussed, fluoride is a chemical that has attracted significant debate. The oral health benefits are clear, and it is a key ingredient in both toothpaste and mouthwash.
However, the main controversy surrounding fluoride is its addition to the public water supply in some areas – known as water fluoridation.
In the United States, the debate over water fluoridation has received more attention recently due to the imminent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy as the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services [3].
Kennedy has opposed water fluoridation, and has announced that he plans on advising all US water systems to remove fluoride from the public water supply.
One of the main concerns put forward by opponents of water fluoridation is its impact on children. Moreover, this is especially in relation to exposure in early childhood.
This includes overexposure to fluoride, and concern about its impact on cognitive neurodevelopment. Therefore, new research has been conducted to look into this further.
This important study has been supported by The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) [4].
The Research
The research was conducted by a team from The University of Queensland’s School of Dentistry. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Dental Research [4].
The team sought to investigate potential effects of fluoride exposure on the cognitive neurodevelopment of children. To find this out, the researchers used the 4th edition of the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) [4].
The participants in this study were a sample of Australian adults. The sample data was selected from the National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS) 2012-14 [4].
When adults completed the NCOHS, they were aged between 6 and 16. Data was collected on oral health behaviours, socioeconomic factors, and residential history – the latter of which was crucial for determining which children had access to fluoridated water [4].
Furthermore, the children were examined by trained examiners to assess dental fluorosis – which is a reliable marker of fluoride intake during early childhood [4].
The sample – consisting of 357 participants – were then contacted to provide an update between 2022 and 2023. By this point, the participants were aged between 16 and 26 [4].
This update had the aim of collecting data on cognitive neurodevelopment using the WAIS-IV – which was administered by trained examiners [4].
The researchers then used multivariable regression models to calculate the results and any associations between the various areas [4].
Interestingly, the results showed no statistical difference between those exposed to fluoride and those that were not exposed to fluoride [4].
In fact, the regression analysis even found that IQ scores were slightly higher among those exposed to fluoride [4]. Although this was a very small difference.
Overall, the researchers concluded that early childhood exposure to fluoride does not have an effect on cognitive neurodevelopment, with their analysis demonstrating this [4].
Summary
The researchers were pleased with the findings. They hope that the results of this research will be able to play a part in shaping healthcare policy over the next few months – which coincides with crucial decisions being made in the United States.
Effie Ioannidou is the President of the AADOCR. She commented on the findings, stating that “the fluoridation of drinking water has been enormously beneficial to oral health over the decades, and to public health more generally” [5].
Continuing, Ioannidou said that “it is crucial that a wealth of scientific evidence is always available should the public ever need reminding of this fact” [5]. She says that this research is an example of this.
While there are some risks with fluoride – such as overexposure – managing the balance between the risks and benefits of fluoride is crucial.
But these findings add to the body of research which suggests fluoride has a positive impact on our oral health, and little to no impact on cognitive neurodevelopment.
Thinking points…
1) Some areas have access to fluoridated water, while others don’t. Regardless of whether you live in an area with fluoridated water or not, it is very important to visit your dentist regularly for a check-up. At a check-up, a dentist can take a thorough look at your oral health, and provide advice and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
2) With fluoride being in the news so much recently, some people have decided to change to a non-fluoride toothpaste. This has the potential to cause significant dental problems! Therefore, the contents of this article could be very helpful to many people and help to downplay their fears. You could share this article on your social media channels to raise awareness, it could benefit many people. Why not share the article now?!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign[TM]! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2024). Fluoride & Dental Health. Available: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.
[2] Veneri, F., Vincenti, M., Generali, L., Giannone, M. E., Mazzoleni, E., Birnbaum, L. S., Consolo, U., & Filippini, T. (2023). Fluoride exposure and cognitive neurodevelopment: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. 221. 115239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115239.
[3] Mello-Klein, C. (2024). Eliminating fluoride in water would create health problems beyond oral health, experts say. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-fluoride-health-problems-oral-experts.html. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.
[4] Do, L. G., Sawyer, A., Ha, D. H., et al. (2024). Early Childhood Exposures to Fluorides and Cognitive Neurodevelopment: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. Journal of Dental Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345241299352.
[5] International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. (2024). The impact of early childhood exposure to fluoride on cognitive neurodevelopment. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-impact-early-childhood-exposure-fluoride.html. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.
