A highly anticipated, long-term study has found that drinking fluoridated water during childhood has no negative effect on intelligence or brain function later in life. The research, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides robust, U.S.-based data contradicting recent claims that community water fluoridation is linked to cognitive decline or IQ loss in children. Dr. Scott Tomar, head of population oral health at the University of Illinois in Chicago, called the findings "quite significant," reassuring the public that there is no association between municipal water fluoridation and neurodevelopmental issues.
Led by Rob Warren, a population health expert at the University of Minnesota, the study is the first to track the potential cognitive impacts of water fluoridation across a person's entire lifespan. Researchers analyzed data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which has followed over 10,000 individuals since their high school graduation in 1957. By comparing participants' IQ tests at age 16 with cognitive tests taken in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, the team found absolutely no difference in brain power between those who grew up with fluoridated municipal water and those who did not.
While some researchers noted a minor limitation—the study estimated fluoride exposure based on a person's residential history rather than individual biological measurements—the results strongly support current public health guidelines. Major organizations, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, continue to champion water fluoridation as a safe, low-cost method that reduces tooth decay by 25%. For parents feeling wary amidst recent pushback, this new research serves as a vital reminder that fluoride remains an essential tool for protecting children from painful cavities and long-term oral health issues.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/fluoride-water-children-iq-brain-cognition-study-rfk-jr-rcna267328
