Concerns have been raised about potential associations between fluoride and health risks such as cancer, bone fractures, musculoskeletal effects, reproductive and developmental effects, neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral effects, and effects on other organ systems.
To complicate matters, concerns have also been raised about children’s use of toothpaste, much of which contains fluoride. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and pediatricians both warned about children using too much toothpaste, resulting in ingestion of fluoride.
Specific health risks to children from fluoride have been recognized and include bone cancer (osteosarcoma), IQ loss, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many other adverse outcomes. Exposure to excess fluoride in children is also known to result in dental fluorosis, which has been identified as a first sign of fluoride toxicity.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in 2010, 41% of children aged 12-15 exhibit fluorosis to some degree.
Dental fluorosis can range from very mild to severe and is a condition in which the teeth enamel becomes irreversibly damaged and the teeth become permanently discolored, displaying a white or brown mottling pattern and forming brittle teeth that break and stain easily. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in 2010, 41% of children aged 12-15 exhibit fluorosis to some degree. However, a new analysis of the most recently available government data found that 65% of American children now have some degree of dental fluorosis....read more>>>...
