Why I Changed My Mind on Water Fluoridation [Video]

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

Community water fluoridation recently hit its 75th anniversary, touted as a significant advancement in public health, but new research suggests the potential for adverse health impacts. There is little question that supplemental fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces decay. But at what cost? Most of the older studies were snapshot-in-time studies, looking only at group-level data, or were based on higher-than-normal exposure. That has since changed with the publication of prospective studies following individual exposure levels from mother-child pairs over time.

The first few were from Mexico, and correlated higher fluoride levels in the urine of pregnant women with future developmental delay in their infants. They found worse cognitive performance at age four, and lower IQ from ages six through 12. But …