© 2025 American Dental Association l 79
Fluoridation Facts
46. What are some of the erroneous health claims made against
water fluoridation?
Answer
From sources such as social media, the Internet, newsletters, and personal anecdotes in emails,
it is frequently and falsely claimed that community water fluoridation causes one or more of the
following adverse health conditions:
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Allergic reactions (e.g., loss of hair, skin that burns and peels after contact with fluoridated water)
Accelerated aging
Alzheimer’s disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Behavioral problems (e.g., attention deficit disorders)
Bone disease (e.g., osteoporosis, increased bone/hip fractures)
Cancer (all types including osteosarcoma or bone cancer)
Chronic bronchitis
Colic (acute abdominal pain)
Cystic fibrosis
Down syndrome
Emphysema
Enzyme effects (gene alterations)
Flatulence (gas)
Gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel syndrome)
Harmful interactions with medications
Heart disease
Increased infant mortality
Low birth weight for infants
Kidney disease
Lead poisonings
Lethargy (lack of energy)
Lower IQ scores
Malpositioned teeth
Parkinson’s disease
Calcification of the pineal gland (causing early puberty, chronic insomnia)
Reproductive issues (damaged sperm, reduced fertility)
Skin conditions (redness, rash/welts, itching)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Fluoridation Facts
46. What are some of the erroneous health claims made against
water fluoridation?
Answer
From sources such as social media, the Internet, newsletters, and personal anecdotes in emails,
it is frequently and falsely claimed that community water fluoridation causes one or more of the
following adverse health conditions:
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Allergic reactions (e.g., loss of hair, skin that burns and peels after contact with fluoridated water)
Accelerated aging
Alzheimer’s disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Behavioral problems (e.g., attention deficit disorders)
Bone disease (e.g., osteoporosis, increased bone/hip fractures)
Cancer (all types including osteosarcoma or bone cancer)
Chronic bronchitis
Colic (acute abdominal pain)
Cystic fibrosis
Down syndrome
Emphysema
Enzyme effects (gene alterations)
Flatulence (gas)
Gastrointestinal problems (irritable bowel syndrome)
Harmful interactions with medications
Heart disease
Increased infant mortality
Low birth weight for infants
Kidney disease
Lead poisonings
Lethargy (lack of energy)
Lower IQ scores
Malpositioned teeth
Parkinson’s disease
Calcification of the pineal gland (causing early puberty, chronic insomnia)
Reproductive issues (damaged sperm, reduced fertility)
Skin conditions (redness, rash/welts, itching)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
