THE SCIENCE ON FLUORIDE

The Dangers of Fluoride: A Comprehensive Overview

Fluoride, a substance commonly found in toothpaste and public water supplies, has long been touted for its benefits in preventing tooth decay. However, recent research and growing awareness in holistic and biological dentistry communities have raised significant concerns about its potential dangers. Let's take a compassionate and friendly journey through the various ways fluoride can impact our health, particularly its effects on neurological health, bone integrity, and developmental issues in children.

The Neurotoxic Effects of Fluoride

One of the most concerning aspects of fluoride is its classification as a neurotoxin, a substance that can damage the nervous system, affecting brain function and development. It's a bit unsettling to think about, but numerous studies have shown that high levels of fluoride exposure can lead to significant neurological damage.

Lower IQ in Children:

A comprehensive meta-analysis by Harvard researchers found that children in high-fluoride areas had significantly lower IQ scores compared to those in low-fluoride areas. You can dive deeper into this study [here] (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491930/).
Another study published in *Environmental Health Perspectives* linked prenatal fluoride exposure to lower cognitive outcomes in children aged 4 to 12 years. More details can be found [here] (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP655).
A review in the *Journal of Neurotoxicology and Teratology* discusses the effects of fluoride on neurobehavioral development. Read more about it [here] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../abs/pii/S0892036210003248).

Fluoride and Bone Damage

Fluoride’s impact extends beyond the brain to our bones. Excessive fluoride intake can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a condition where bones become brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Imagine your bones becoming more fragile over time due to accumulated fluoride altering their structure and density.

Skeletal Fluorosis:

A study published in the *Journal of Bone and Mineral Research* highlights the prevalence and severity of skeletal fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas in China. You can explore this study [here] (https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/.../10.1002/jbmr.565).
Research published in *Bone* examines bone composition in high- and low-fluoride areas in Turkey, revealing significant differences. Details are available [here] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../abs/pii/S8756328201003464).
Another insightful study in the *Journal of Bone and Mineral Research* discusses the impact of fluoride on bone density and the risk of fractures. Read it [here] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20709302/).

Connection to Alzheimer's and Dementia

The potential link between fluoride exposure and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia is particularly concerning. Alzheimer's disease, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, leads to cognitive decline and memory loss. Some studies suggest that fluoride can exacerbate this process by increasing oxidative stress and promoting inflammation in the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease:

A study in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease* explores the association between fluoride exposure and cognitive decline. Find more information [here] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34948493/).
Another study highlights the potential impact of fluoride on cognitive function in older adults living in China. Explore this study [here] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31385228/).
Research published in *Biological Trace Element Research* examines the links between chronic fluoride exposure and cognitive function in adults. Details can be found [here] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38582117/).

Impact on Children’s Intelligence

Fluoride exposure has been consistently linked to lower IQ levels in children. The previously mentioned Harvard meta-analysis found a consistent association between high fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in children.

Fluoride Exposure and IQ:

An insightful study in *Environmental Health Perspectives* examines the effects of fluoride exposure on IQ scores in children from Iran. You can read more [here] (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1104912).
A review in *Environmental Health* published a comprehensive review on the developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals, including fluoride. This study is accessible [here] (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-019-0551-x).
A study in *Environmental Science & Policy* investigates the relationship between fluoride exposure and cognitive function in children. Find more details [here] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../abs/pii/S1462901113001013).

Fluoride During Pregnancy and Toddler Neurodevelopment

Recent research has highlighted the impact of fluoride exposure during pregnancy on the neurodevelopment of toddlers. A groundbreaking study published in *JAMA Pediatrics* found that higher fluoride levels in pregnant women were associated with lower IQ scores in their children at ages 3 and 4.

Prenatal Exposure and Child IQ:

The *JAMA Pediatrics* study details the association between maternal fluoride exposure during pregnancy and IQ scores in offspring in Canada. You can explore this study [here] (https://jamanetwork.com/.../jamapedia.../fullarticle/2748634).
A retrospective cohort study in *Neurotoxicology and Teratology* examines prenatal fluoride exposure and birth outcomes. The study is available [here] (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP655).
Another study in *Environmental Health Perspectives* highlights the potential long-term impacts of fluoride on early brain development. Read it [here] (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP5145).

The Holistic and Biological Dentistry Approach

Given these potential dangers, many holistic and biological dental practitioners advocate for caution regarding fluoride use. They recommend seeking alternatives for dental care, such as fluoride-free toothpaste and water filters that remove fluoride. Furthermore, they encourage individuals to be informed about the sources of fluoride exposure in their daily lives and to take proactive steps to minimize it.

Fluoride-Free Products: Holistic dentists use fluoride-free toothpaste, prophy paste, and other dental products during cleanings and treatments. It is important to be aware that while biological offices try to ensure that the VAST majority of our products are BPA free and fluoride free, some products in dentistry are simply not available without fluoride. Of particular note is crown and bridge cements. They simply don’t make them fluoride free. So we choose to live by the 80/20 rule. Meaning we do the very best we can 80% of the time to be as clean as possible in every way that we can, so that 20% of the time we can be less than perfect and still be doing better than the vast majority. To give an example - we all eat out at a restaurant at some point. It’s simply impossible to live in our societies anymore without EVER eating out. Obviously, we are going to try to eat at restaurants that are “cleaner”. But even then, it’s impossible to find a restaurant that does ALL of it’s cooking and cleaning with filtered water. It’s not going to happen. Even if you are lucky enough to find a restaurant that uses filtered water when they serve you water to drink at the table, most of the time, they are still cooking with tap water. So we are going to get SOME fluoride some of the time. Another fact is that Most homes don’t have a whole home water filter that filters out the fluoride - the dirty little secret of water filtration is that they don’t remove the fluoride from the water. If you have a whole home filter, they must further use an RO filter to get the fluoride out at the kitchen sink. But we all shower and bathe. Our skin absorbs it. And if we grow veggies and fruits, our plants are grown with tap water. All of these things have fluoride. And FAR more fluoride than a mouthful of crowns is going to give you over a lifetime. So better is to find ways to protect ourselves at home, and the biological office finding every other non fluoride product to use, so that the ONE product they have no choice on won’t impact our health in a negative way.
Alternative Treatments: Instead of fluoride treatments, they may use natural remineralizing agents that do not carry the same risks.
Water Filtration: While many conventional offices now use distilled water, holistic dentists often take additional steps to ensure all materials and methods are free from fluoride. Our office double filters, then distills our water, and then ozonates that to boot. We have VERY clean water in the office!

Conclusion

Even routine cleanings at a conventional dentist can result in significant fluoride exposure, particularly through the use of fluoride-containing prophy paste and other dental products. Recent research links fluoride to various health concerns, including neurotoxicity, bone damage, and developmental issues in children. By understanding these risks and opting for a holistic or biological dentist, individuals can reduce their fluoride intake and take a more natural approach to dental care. For those concerned about fluoride exposure, consulting with a holistic or biological dentist can provide safer, fluoride-free options for maintaining oral health.

Remember, your smile and health are worth every bit of care and attention. Embrace the journey towards a healthier, fluoride-free approach to dental care with confidence and peace of mind.