By Harshit
WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 23—
A new long-term study is reigniting the national debate over fluoride in drinking water, contradicting recent concerns that federally recommended fluoride levels may pose risks to children’s cognitive development. Instead, the latest research suggests the opposite: young people exposed to typical fluoride levels performed better on cognitive tests than their peers who lacked fluoride access.
The findings come at a moment when fluoride policy faces political pressure, fueled by a recent federal review and public statements from top administration officials questioning the safety of community water fluoridation. While some states have already moved to eliminate fluoride from public systems, researchers warn that such decisions could be based on incomplete or misinterpreted science.
A Direct Challenge to Recent Warnings
Federal debate intensified after the National Toxicology Program (NTP) released an assessment linking high fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores. But the NTP analysis focused on fluoride levels at least twice the U.S. recommended amount and acknowledged insufficient data for evaluating typical exposures.
Dr. Rob Warren, lead author of the new paper in Science Advances, said he was motivated by the “extreme mismatch” between the NTP study and real-world public policy.
“High, toxic doses clearly harm the body,” Warren said. “But they are irrelevant to what communities actually experience through regulated drinking water. We needed evidence that reflects everyday exposures.”
The new study aimed to provide that evidence — and its results ran counter to the recent warnings.
What the New Data Shows
Researchers analyzed academic test performance among nearly 27,000 people tracked since the 1980s, comparing their childhood fluoride exposure based on historical local water records.
Key findings:
- Children exposed to recommended fluoride levels throughout childhood scored higher on reading, math, and vocabulary tests than those with no fluoride access.
- Partial exposure — such as living in areas where fluoridation was added later — also showed benefits, though smaller.
- Follow-up testing through age 60 found no sign of cognitive decline linked to fluoride exposure.
These outcomes support decades of evidence that fluoride strengthens dental health and, indirectly, benefits learning by reducing the pain, distraction, and school absences caused by untreated tooth decay.
Context: A National Debate Intensifies
Community water fluoridation began in 1945 and is backed by the American Dental Association, CDC, and most major medical groups. Yet it has become a political flashpoint in recent years.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly criticized fluoridation, calling it “industrial waste” and pointing to IQ concerns despite scientific consensus to the contrary. Utah and Florida recently became the first states to ban the practice outright.
Public health experts warn these moves risk reversing decades of progress. Earlier research estimated that removing fluoride could lead to 25 million additional decayed teeth in five years among U.S. children and adolescents, alongside nearly $10 billion in added health costs.
Dr. David Savitz of Brown University, writing in a formal response to the new paper, argued that claims of harm remain unsupported.
“Water fluoridation is a proven public health success,” Savitz wrote. “Until clear evidence shows otherwise, dismantling it would be reckless.”
A Broader Look at Fluoride Exposure
While the new study examined fluoride in drinking water, experts note that total fluoride exposure also comes from toothpaste, certain foods, and even pesticides. The FDA recently tightened regulations around prescription fluoride supplements, citing gut microbiome concerns.
Dr. Bruce Lanphear, an epidemiologist, said a full accounting of all fluoride sources is essential for future policy decisions.
“Population strategies like fluoridation can be powerful—but they also require extremely strong evidence of both safety and effectiveness,” he said. “This new research adds an important piece of that puzzle.”
Where the Evidence Stands Now
Despite political controversy, the scientific consensus remains unchanged:
- Regulated fluoride levels (0.7 mg/L) are safe.
- They significantly reduce tooth decay, especially among low-income children.
- Evidence does not support claims that typical fluoride exposure harms IQ or cognitive development.
Dr. Savitz summarized the moment bluntly: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
The new study places community fluoridation even more firmly in the “not broken” category.