Fluoride, Mental Health, and a Family's Journey

Thursday, August 22, 2024. For Anna, James, and Liam

As a family therapist, I often sit across from parents overwhelmed with questions about their children's well-being.

It's not just about their behavior, schooling, or emotional health—sometimes, it's about the unseen factors. These silent influences could shape a child's future in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

One such factor that’s been stirring up much discussion lately is fluoride—the same mineral we've long associated with healthy teeth.

Anna and James, a couple I’ve been working with for several months, came into my office recently, clearly distressed.

Their son, Liam, had been struggling with concentration and focus in school. Despite their best efforts—extra tutoring, a stricter bedtime, and even dietary changes—Liam's grades continued to slip. What made it worse was that he was once a bright, inquisitive child. Now, he seemed distant, struggling to keep up with his peers.

The conversation took an unexpected turn when James mentioned a news report he’d read about fluoride in drinking water being linked to lower IQ levels in children. "Could this be affecting Liam?" James asked, his voice laced with concern.

I had no idea what he was talking about at the time. So, we carefully reviewed the information together.

The report he referred to was from the National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which had just concluded that fluoride at twice the recommended limit might be linked to lower IQs in kids.

This breaking report was just released a few days ago. But it wasn’t just another piece of news—it was based on an analysis of previously published research, and for the first time, a federal agency acknowledged a potential neurological risk from high levels of fluoride.

The research reviewed studies from various countries—Canada, China, India, and Mexico—highlighting a consistent and clear association between higher fluoride levels in drinking water and reduced IQ in children.

This was a large impressive, international study.

I told them we’d have to do a little more research together and notice our nervous systems at the same time.

Now, to clarify, what I learned is that fluoride has been lauded as one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

The mineral strengthens teeth and reduces cavities, which is why it’s added to drinking water.

But like any good thing, too much of it can have unintended consequences. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long endorsed fluoridation of water as a safe and effective measure. However, this new report suggests that when fluoride levels exceed 1.5 milligrams per liter, there could be a risk to developing brains.

I could see Anna’s worry deepen as I explained the details.

The report mentioned that in some studies, children exposed to higher levels of fluoride scored a whopping 2 to 5 points lower on IQ tests.

While this might not seem like a dramatic drop, in the world of child development, even small shifts can signal larger underlying issues.

This is an astoundingly huge number with profound cultural implications, in my opinion.

James, always the pragmatist, wanted to know, “What does this mean for us? Should we stop drinking the tap water? Is Liam already affected?” These are the questions any parent would ask, and they’re not easy to answer.

Fluoride naturally occurs in water and soil, and for decades, communities have added it to drinking water to improve dental health.

The benefits are undeniable—less tooth decay, fewer cavities—but with this new information, the narrative isn’t as clear-cut as it once was.

Since 2015, federal health officials have recommended a fluoridation level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, a reduction from the previous upper limit of 1.2 milligrams per liter, to prevent dental fluorosis, a condition that can cause white spots on teeth.

But what about the brain?

The research indicates that high levels of fluoride could potentially interfere with neurodevelopment. Animal studies have shown that fluoride can impact brain regions responsible for learning, memory, and behavior.

There’s also concern about how it might affect developing fetuses, especially in women who consume high-fluoride water or certain types of tea.

As I guided Anna and James through these details, I could see the emotional toll it was taking. It’s one thing to worry about cavities; it’s another to consider that something as essential as water might be affecting your child’s mental development.

The truth is, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of fluoride on the brain.

The National Toxicology Program’s report highlights the need for further studies, especially at lower fluoride levels.

But it also raises important questions for families like Anna and James: How do we balance the known benefits of fluoride with these emerging risks? Is it time to reconsider our policies on water fluoridation? Should pregnant women be more cautious about their fluoride intake?

As we concluded our session, I reminded Anna and James that while the report’s findings might be concerning, they also offer an opportunity to make informed decisions about their family’s health.

They could start by doing some research and learning more about their local water supply. They could respectfully engage town officials and be curious citizens.

They could consider testing their water for fluoride levels, or using bottled water in the unlikely event that their local supply is high in fluoride. But they had to manage their anxiety more pragmatically.

Most importantly, I encouraged them to stay engaged, to ask questions, and to continue advocating for Liam’s well-being—because, as any parent knows, that’s the most powerful tool in ensuring a child’s health and happiness.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

References

Malin, A. (2024). The impact of fluoride on neurodevelopment: A comprehensive review. Journal of Environmental Health, 23(4), 215-230.

National Research Council. (2006). Fluoride in drinking water: A scientific review of EPA’s standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

National Toxicology Program. (2024). Review of fluoride exposure and neurodevelopmental and cognitive health effects. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Community water fluoridation. Retrieved from CDC.gov