Early fluoride exposure and cognitive development: a review of current evidence
Keywords:
Cognition, Late Effects of Prenatal Exposure, Fluoride, Dental Fluorosis, IntelligenceAbstract
Fluoride is widely used in dentistry for its benefits in preventing dental caries; however, excessive exposure, especially during pregnancy and childhood, has raised concerns due to potential neurotoxic effects and its association with dental fluorosis and decreased IQ. Due to the importance of the topic, it is proposed to analyze the current scientific evidence on the relationship between fluoride exposure in early life and its impact on children's cognitive development. For this purpose, it was carried out a systematic search was conducted in academic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, Springer, and BioMed) using keywords such as "fluoride," "IQ," "cognitive development," and "neurotoxicity." Relevant studies published in recent years were selected, focusing on epidemiological, clinical, and experimental research that examined the association between fluoride exposure levels and changes in IQ. The evidence suggests that prenatal and childhood exposure to high concentrations of fluoride can negatively affect neurodevelopment, possibly through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction, and altered maternal thyroid function. Studies report average reductions of up to 4.68 points in IQ scores in children exposed to high levels of fluoride. Some studies found no significant associations in low-exposure settings and while fluoride remains key in preventing cavities, it is urgent to reassess safe exposure levels, considering children's neurodevelopment. More rigorous research is needed to control for confounding factors and explore biological mechanisms, in order to balance its dental benefits with the protection of cognitive health.
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