These countries don’t fluoridate their water – here’s why

With water fluoridation of drinking water under the spotlight in the US, we look at why some countries choose not to add the mineral to supplies while others have repealed the practice. Opposition to fluoride is spreading. The mineral was there, in the recent “Make America Healthy Again” report on childhood disease, among a long […]

Scientists find toxic metals linked to autism in popular toothpaste

A startling new investigation has uncovered toxic heavy metals lurking in some of America’s most trusted toothpaste brands, including those made for children. Lead Safe Mama, a small business focused on lead-poisoning prevention, sent 51 toothpaste products to an independent lab for testing. The lineup included household names like Crest, Colgate, Sensodyne, Orajel, Burt’s Bees, Tom’s of Maine, […]

Is the dental profession biased towards water fluoridation?

Neel Kothari considers whether the dental profession might be over-exaggerating the benefits of water fluoridation and downplaying its risks. There is no doubt that exposure to the fluoride ion has been a paradigm shift in reducing the impact of tooth decay across the world. Put simply, it reduces the critical pH of tooth structures and […]

Water fluoridation expansion given green light

The Government has announced the largest expansion of water fluoridation in England since the 1980s, aiming to reach an additional 1.6 million people across the North East. The initiative is designed to tackle tooth decay, particularly in deprived areas where dental health inequalities are most pronounced. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has been shown to […]

Water fluoridation expansion plans confirmed

About 1.6 million more people will have their water supply fluoridated, the government has confirmed. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it would introduce fluoridation to more areas of north-east England. The plans had been out for public consultation last year. The DHSC said it hoped the move would cut the number […]

Health bosses want fluoride in Worcestershire’s water

Around half of the county’s water is currently fluoridated, a public health measure intended to prevent tooth decay. According to the British Fluoridation Society, schemes to bring fluoride levels up to the recommended amount in parts of the county took place between 1970 and 1991. But areas including Worcester, Kidderminster, Stourport and the Malvern Hills […]

Does water fluoridation cause childhood IQ loss?

New research found ‘significant inverse associations’ between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ scores, calling the safety of water fluoridation into question. The study estimates that for every 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, a child’s IQ decreases by 1.63 points. Lead author Kyla Taylor said this is a ‘statistically significant association’ between fluoride exposure and lowered […]