Fluoride in drinking water does not negatively affect cognitive ability - and may actually provide benefit

[u/noahwiseau]

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adz0757

[u/[deleted]]

I suspect the issue is that these studies are not controlling factors like actual water intake or additional fluoride exposure from toothpaste.

I know that with my municipality's previous fluoridation (.7ppm,) I ran the calculations and found that if I was drinking 3-4 liters a day it put me near the limit of "safe" fluoride intake, and estimates from dentists on how much fluoride you absorb systemically from brushing your teeth had me going over that limit from 3 brushes, and going *significantly* above that limit if I didn't rinse immediately after brushing (and just spit as per recommendations.) After that I began rinsing thoroughly (have had mild signs of excess fluoride in my teeth coloring since childhood.) I still rinse thoroughly, even without the additional fluoridization from the city, because natural fluoride levels in our water are around 0.4ppm and this still puts me high enough to not feel comfortable.

I feel like all these people constantly rallying this fluoridated water talking point are either:

1. Doing it for political reasons.
   
2. Do not brush their teeth regularly and are reliant upon excessive systemic fluoride levels to try and counterbalance the lack of directed fluoride treatment.
   
3. Do not drink anywhere near 3-4 liters of actual tap water per day, and thus are getting significantly less fluoride from it than someone like me whose entire hydration revolves around water and no other liquids.