🦷 So your dentist is still defending fluoride? Here’s what you’re going to forward them…

A reader recently asked me…

“If Europe doesn’t fluoridate its water, why do they still have lower cavity rates than the U.S.?”

It’s a smart question—and the answer just became national news.

Because as of September 2024, a U.S. federal court has officially ruled that the fluoridation chemicals added to public water supplies pose an unreasonable risk to human health, particularly to the developing brains of children.

The Ruling That Changed Everything
In a landmark decision, Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court (Northern District of California) ruled in Food & Water Watch et al. v. EPA that water fluoridation violates the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) due to the scientifically established risk of neurodevelopmental harm.

This is the first time in U.S. history that a federal court has ruled that adding fluoride to public water supplies is not just ineffective—but unsafe under federal chemical safety law.

“The Court concludes that plaintiffs have carried their burden and proven by a preponderance of the evidence that fluoridation presents an unreasonable risk of neurodevelopmental harm.”
—Judge Edward Chen

Source: Fluoride Alert

The plaintiffs, supported by over 100 peer-reviewed studies, successfully argued that fluoride exposure—especially during pregnancy—can impair cognitive development in children.

One key study cited during the trial was a 2019 NIH-funded paper published in JAMA Pediatrics, which found that higher maternal fluoride exposure was linked to lower IQ scores in boys.

Source: Green et al., 2019 – JAMA Pediatrics

Cochrane Review: Minimal Benefit, Serious Risk
The most comprehensive review of fluoridation to date—published by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2015—found that modern evidence supporting fluoride in drinking water is weak at best:

• Out of 155 studies, only 3 met modern scientific standards.
• The average benefit? Just 0.3 fewer decayed teeth per child in fluoridated areas.
• Meanwhile, the risk of dental fluorosis was consistently elevated across populations.

Source: Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024

We’re swallowing a neurotoxin for 0.3 fewer cavities. That’s not science-based policy!

The Critical Difference: Topical vs. Systemic
Here’s a distinction that’s often overlooked in the fluoride debate…

• Topical fluoride (like toothpaste) works on the tooth surface.
• Systemic fluoride (like drinking water) is ingested, absorbed into the bloodstream, and distributed throughout the body—including the brain.

Almost all cavity-fighting benefits come from topical use.

Almost all risks come from ingestion.

Fluoride Classified as a Neurotoxin

In 2014, The Lancet Neurology published a review by Harvard toxicologist Philippe Grandjean and Dr. Philip Landrigan identifying fluoride as a possible developmental neurotoxicant, based on emerging evidence linking high fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children.

The paper called for the precautionary principle to guide public policy—arguing that we should not wait for definitive proof before protecting vulnerable populations from risk.

Source: Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity
“But It Prevents Cavities!” ← Does It Really?
Here’s the truth: Tooth decay isn’t caused by a fluoride deficiency.
It’s caused by:

• Imbalanced oral microbiome
• Sugar, acids, and refined carbs
• Mouth breathing
• Low saliva flow

None of those root causes are addressed by swallowing fluoride in your tap water.

Most European countries don’t fluoridate their water, and yet many have equal or lower rates of tooth decay than the U.S.

Source: Cheng et al., 2007 – BMJ
Source: WHO Global Oral Health Status Report, 2022

Their secret? Public health systems that emphasize education, hygiene, and targeted fluoride use—not systemic exposure through drinking water.

What to Do Instead
If you want real cavity prevention, here’s where to start:

• Use nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste like Fygg, which remineralizes enamel without the systemic toxicity of fluoride.
• Supplement with minerals, especially magnesium, Vitamin K2, and Vitamin D. Incorporate high quality sources of these minerals in your diet, but don’t rely on diet alone because our food system and soil quality have been depleted. These are the supplements I take myself.
• Filter your water with reverse osmosis—standard filters won’t remove fluoride. These are the water filters I use and recommend.
• Fix the root causes: reduce sugar, breathe through your nose, prioritize sleep and saliva flow.
• Support your oral microbiome: Ditch the mouthwash and use a tongue scraper instead! Your mouth is home to a complex ecosystem of bacteria—some protective, some destructive. Overusing antiseptic rinses, eating ultra-processed foods, and mouth breathing can disrupt this balance, leading to decay and gum disease. Focus on feeding your good bacteria with a low-sugar, whole-food diet and using oral care products that preserve microbial diversity rather than sterilizing it.

We’ve covered many of these topics in past newsletters—but let me know if you’d like me to dive deeper into any of them in future editions.

Final Thoughts
If fluoride were a new drug today—with this level of risk and this little benefit—it would never be approved.

Let’s stop defending outdated policies and start moving toward smarter, safer solutions.

Doing something for a long time can indicate experience, but it doesn’t necessarily equate to credibility.

Credibility comes from consistently achieving good results, adapting to new information, and demonstrating expertise.

Longevity alone can sometimes lead to complacency or resistance to change.

True credibility is built on a foundation of knowledge, skill, and a willingness to evolve when necessary.

👉 Forward this to your dentist, your doctor, or your city council rep. You don’t have to debate—just let the science (and the ruling) speak for itself.

-Mark