Dramatic Increases in Dental Fluorosis Point to Widespread Fluoride Overexposure With Risk of Neurotoxicity from FAN

Dramatic Increases in Dental Fluorosis Point to Widespread Fluoride Overexposure With Risk of Neurotoxicity Researchers report a huge increase in dental fluorosis in the USA in a paper just published in the Journal of Dental Research – Clinical & Translational Research. Dental fluorosis is a tooth enamel defect caused by excessive fluoride intake during childhood.  It appears as white spots or lines in milder cases and pitted and stained enamel in more severe cases.  Analysis of the most recently available government data (NHANES 2011-2012 survey) found that 65% of American children now have some degree of dental fluorosis. The survey found the objectionable degrees of dental fluorosis, termed "moderate" and "severe", in 30.4% of children age 12-15.  This was an 8-fold increase from the previous national survey in 1999-2004 that found 3.7% affected. Paul Connett PhD, director of Fluoride Action Network, noted:  "This is compelling evidence that fluoride exposure, linked to lowered IQ in children, has skyrocketed. Fluorosis is a permanent marker of excessive early life exposure to fluoride.  The US Public Health Service (PHS) has promoted fluoridation since the 1950s, but now must recognize fluoride exposure is out of control.  The emerging evidence of harm to developing brains can no longer be dismissed." According to lead author, Chris Neurath: "These extremely high rates are unprecedented and far beyond what were considered acceptable when water fluoridation was started 75 years ago." "Although we were not able to determine what specific sources of fluoride caused these large increases in fluorosis, likely contributors include increases in water fluoridation, especially when used for mixing infant formula, and swallowed fluoride toothpaste." "The PHS in 2015 recommended a reduction in the level of fluoride added to drinking water.  This was a response to the increase in fluorosis between 1986-1987 and 1999-2004.  The much larger increase in the 2011-2012 survey was apparently not considered.  The PHS's reduction may be insufficient to reduce fluorosis to dentally acceptable levels and ignores the serious neurotoxic effects that may be occurring." Neurath also noted: "The rear teeth were usually the most affected and it was their scores that determined the person-level scores.  When we only considered the front teeth the 'moderate' & 'severe' rate was 10% instead of 30%.  Many fluoridating countries only consider front teeth in their surveys (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) thereby underestimating true rates of fluorosis." Visit FAN's webpage on this study for links to the full paper, the CDC data, our press release, the study abstract, photos, graphs, and background information on dental fluorosis. See all FAN bulletins online

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