It’s an outdated practice.
The effectiveness of fluoridated drinking water in preventing tooth decay may be diminishing as more Americans use fluoride-rich dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash, according to a recent review. The research, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, examined over 157 studies comparing the rate of tooth decay in children from communities with fluoridated water to those without.
Researchers found that, before fluoride toothpaste became widely available in the 1970s, adding fluoride to water systems reduced the average number of decayed teeth per child by 2.1. However, studies conducted after 1975 in the U.K. and Australia showed a smaller benefit, with only a 0.24 reduction in decayed baby teeth per child, or about one-quarter of a tooth.
Despite this decline, experts caution against viewing the results as a reason to stop fluoridating water. Study co-author Anne-Marie Glenny emphasized that societal and health changes over the past 50 years must be considered when evaluating the data. She noted that older studies do not reflect current dental practices, which include widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, giving a more accurate picture of the benefits today.
Still, some U.S. communities are choosing to stop water fluoridation due to concerns over potential health risks, such as the impact on children’s IQ levels. In a recent court case, a federal judge in California recommended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthen its fluoride regulations, though the judge did not definitively conclude that fluoridated water poses a public health danger.
Major health organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, continue to support water fluoridation. However, emerging research has prompted further investigation. For instance, a study published in May suggested that higher fluoride exposure during pregnancy may be linked to certain neurobehavioral symptoms in children. Researchers believe this new evidence opens the door for further dialogue on the role and impact of public water fluoridation in modern times.
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