Efficacy of Water Fluoridation in Decline as Health Concerns Rise

Recent studies show reduced dental benefits from fluoridated water, prompting scrutiny of potential health risks.

The Cochrane Collaboration report found only slight reductions in tooth decay from water fluoridation compared to past decades.
Fluoride toothpaste, now widely available, has diminished the relative benefits of fluoridated water since the 1970s.
Concerns about fluoride's potential impact on children's intellectual development have led to calls for stricter EPA regulations.
Studies suggest that contemporary water fluoridation may lead to modest reductions in tooth decay, but the benefits are less pronounced than before.
Major health organizations continue to support water fluoridation as part of a broader strategy to combat dental decay.