Too much fluoride might lower IQ in kids?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frabjous
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Brain Kids
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential effects of fluoride on children's IQ, specifically questioning whether fluoride in toothpaste is sufficient compared to fluoride in drinking water. Participants explore various perspectives on fluoride exposure and its implications for dental health and cognitive development.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether fluoride in toothpaste alone is adequate for dental health, suggesting that water fluoridation serves as a necessary insurance for those who may not use toothpaste regularly.
  • Others argue that fluoridated water contributes to fluoridated saliva, providing benefits that toothpaste alone may not offer.
  • One participant references a broader context of public opinion on water fluoridation in Europe, noting that many countries have rejected it and suggesting that the topic may be U.S.-centric.
  • There are humorous and personal reflections on the topic, including a tongue-in-cheek comparison to alcohol's perceived effects during the pandemic.
  • Participants engage in a light-hearted discussion about grammar and language, reflecting on their own experiences and perceptions of intelligence over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and effectiveness of fluoride in water versus toothpaste, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on assumptions about public health practices and individual behaviors regarding dental hygiene, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion also touches on cultural differences in attitudes toward fluoride use.

Biology news on Phys.org
I just read some of that article. That makes me wonder, would just using fluoride in toothpaste be enough? Should the fluoride really need to be drank in the water? I would think the superfical exposure to be what is necessary; yes or no?
 
If the Voxsplainers told me my mother loved me, I would want to check it out.
 
  • Like
  • Agree
Likes   Reactions: Borg, DaveE, phinds and 1 other person
symbolipoint said:
That makes me wonder, would just using fluoride in toothpaste be enough?
I think the underlying assumption is that some segments of the population don't reliably use toothpaste. Adding it to water is a bit of insurance.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DaveE and BillTre
symbolipoint said:
would just using fluoride in toothpaste be enough?
Fluoridated water makes fluoridated saliva. Unless you brush your teeth 1000x per day, this is an advantage.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: phinds and BillTre
symbolipoint said:
I just read some of that article. That makes me wonder, would just using fluoride in toothpaste be enough? Should the fluoride really need to be drank in the water? I would think the superfical exposure to be what is necessary; yes or no?
Bad teeth or bad brain, seems like a bit of Sophie's choice.
Reminds of when the consensus in 2020 was that alcohol 'killed' or at least rendered SARS-CoV-2 not viable.
So, if we kept a certain level of alcohol in our system all the time we gain some protection?
It was tongue in cheek, it was a strange time.
Fresh 42 replied, "Unless you are considering gargling with Bourbon every 15 minutes that would probably not work."
The man had a point.
 
According to wiki, only 2% of europeans have fluoridated municipal water, and most of that is in the UK. (ref)

wiki said:
Many European countries have rejected water fluoridation, including: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, Iceland, and Italy. A 2003 survey of over 500 Europeans from 16 countries concluded that "the vast majority of people opposed water fluoridation".

Sounds like a 'U.S.' centric topic.
Anyways, I recall being involved in a 'fluoride' conversation in the past:

PF: Portlandia has struck again: fluoride in water

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of Portland, Ore., has conceded defeat in an effort to add fluoride to the city's drinking water.

hmmm.... Maybe that's why I'm so smart! For most of my life I've drank non-fluoridated water.
 
OmCheeto said:
Maybe that's why I'm so smart! For most of my life I've drank non-fluoridated water.
Smart, maybe. Grammatical, no

“Have” is the helping verb for the present perfect tense, and we form the present perfect by using have/has + the past participle. The past participle of drink is drunk. So we always say have drunk, never “have drank.”

grammar-police-badge-SMALL.jpg
 
  • Informative
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: jim mcnamara, OmCheeto, BillTre and 1 other person
I have drunk the Kool-Aid, and therefore will die.
I drank the Kool-Aid, and therefore will die.
I did drink the Kool-Aid, and therefore will die.

Ok. I think I've got it, for now.

Yesterday, I couldn't remember if I had eaten diner or dinner, even though up until the 10th of last month I always got it right.
I'm monitoring my descent into senility by keeping a diary.

I actually vacillated over whether or not to use "That's why I used to be so smart..." in my above post. I look at my posts from years ago and no longer recognize that person.
 
  • #10
OmCheeto said:
I'm monitoring my descent into senility by keeping a diary.
I've given up on that --- too depressing.
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: BillTre
  • #11
Thread closed for Moderation...
 
  • #12
Thread cleaned up and closed.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
9K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
16K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K