Fluoride, Neurotoxicity, and Systemic Risk: Why Biological Dentistry Does Not Use Fluoride

Fluoride has long been promoted as a routine tool for preventing tooth decay and is commonly found in toothpaste, public water systems, and in-office dental treatments. While its use has become normalized within conventional dentistry, biological dentistry has taken a fundamentally different position for decades.

Based on documented research and a whole-body approach to health, biological dentistry does not use or recommend fluoride. This position is rooted in concern over fluoride’s systemic effects, particularly its potential impact on neurological development, bone integrity, cognitive function, and its tendency to accumulate in the body over time. As scientific research continues to expand, many of the concerns raised early on by biological dentists are now supported by an increasing number of peer-reviewed studies.

Fluoride as a Neurotoxin

One of the most serious concerns surrounding fluoride is its classification as a neurotoxin, meaning it has the ability to interfere with the nervous system and brain function. This concern is especially significant during pregnancy and early childhood, when the developing brain is most vulnerable to environmental influences.

Multiple studies have examined fluoride exposure during these critical developmental periods. Research published in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher fluoride levels in pregnant women were associated with lower IQ scores in their children at ages three and four. These findings have been reinforced by additional cohort studies examining prenatal fluoride exposure, birth outcomes, and early neurodevelopment.

Further investigations published in journals such as Neurotoxicology and Environmental Health Perspectives have continued to support these associations, linking maternal fluoride exposure to altered cognitive outcomes in children from early childhood through adolescence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses available through PubMed also reveal a consistent pattern: as fluoride exposure increases, measured IQ in children tends to decrease. A comprehensive meta-analysis conducted by researchers affiliated with Harvard University concluded that children living in higher-fluoride areas had significantly lower IQ scores than those in lower-fluoride regions.

From a biological dentistry perspective, these findings reinforce a core principle of whole-body care. Substances introduced into the mouth do not remain confined to the teeth. They can enter the bloodstream and influence brain development, particularly before birth and during early childhood.

Fluoride and Cognitive Decline in Adults

Concerns surrounding fluoride exposure are not limited to childhood. Research has also explored fluoride’s potential role in adult cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative conditions. Several studies published in journals such as The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Biological Trace Element Research have examined associations between chronic fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive function in adults.

Additional population-based research conducted in China has identified links between fluoride exposure and impaired cognition in older adults. While conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease are complex and influenced by many factors, these studies raise important questions about fluoride’s role in oxidative stress, inflammation, and long-term neurological health. Biological dentistry considers these risks particularly relevant when evaluating lifelong, cumulative fluoride exposure through dental products and drinking water.

Bone Damage and Fluoride Accumulation

Fluoride is known to accumulate in mineralized tissues, particularly bones. Excessive or prolonged exposure can result in skeletal fluorosis, a condition marked by changes in bone structure, stiffness, pain, and an increased risk of fractures. Research from regions with naturally high fluoride levels has documented skeletal fluorosis through imaging studies, bone scans, and clinical evaluation.

Additional studies published in The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research have examined fluoride exposure in lower-dose populations and identified a higher prevalence of hip fractures among individuals with increased water fluoride exposure. Some research also demonstrates a paradoxical effect in which fluoride increases bone mineral density while simultaneously compromising bone quality and strength. From a biologic perspective, this long-term accumulation raises serious concerns about fluoride’s compatibility with overall skeletal health.

Why Biological Dentistry Does Not Use Fluoride

Biological dentistry approaches oral health through the lens of systemic wellness rather than treating teeth in isolation. It evaluates how dental materials, procedures, and substances affect the entire body over time. Given the documented associations between fluoride exposure and neurodevelopmental risk, cognitive decline, bone damage, fluorosis, and long-term tissue accumulation, biological dentistry does not recommend fluoride in any form.

Instead, biologic practitioners focus on preventive strategies and materials that do not carry known systemic risks. This philosophy has remained consistent for decades and continues to guide biologic dental care today.

Fluoride-Free Care in Biological Dentistry

Biological dental practices implement fluoride-free protocols across all aspects of care. This includes the use of fluoride-free toothpastes and prophy pastes during cleanings, alternative remineralization approaches that do not rely on fluoride, and careful material and water selection designed to reduce unnecessary exposure. Patient education plays a central role, helping individuals understand the many sources of fluoride they may encounter in daily life.

Even routine dental visits at conventional offices can involve multiple fluoride exposures through polishing pastes, topical treatments, and rinses. Biological dentistry seeks to eliminate these exposures entirely while still supporting strong, healthy teeth through safer, non-toxic alternatives.

Featured Vetted Provider: Lavu Dental

In Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Sushma Lavu, biologic dentist and owner of Lavu Dental reflects the principles and standards that OraBiologics looks for when identifying biologically aligned dental practices. Dr. Lavu's approach to dentistry is rooted in the understanding that oral health decisions can influence neurological, skeletal, and systemic well-being.

Lavu Dental practices fluoride-free dentistry by design, not exception. Their care model is guided by biologic principles rather than conventional defaults, emphasizing thoughtful material selection, patient education, and preventive strategies that prioritize whole-body health. By focusing on biocompatible, non-toxic alternatives and transparent communication, Lavu Dental empowers patients to make informed decisions aligned with long-term wellness. Their commitment to fluoride-free, evidence-aware care is a key reason they are highlighted as a vetted provider within the OraBiologics community.

Conclusion

Research continues to link fluoride exposure with neurotoxicity, cognitive impairment, bone damage, and developmental concerns in children. These findings reinforce the long-standing position of biological dentistry that fluoride does not belong in routine dental care. By choosing a biological dentist, patients can reduce unnecessary fluoride exposure while still maintaining excellent oral health through safer, fluoride-free alternatives.

Oral health is inseparable from overall well-being, and every choice matters when it comes to protecting both.

For more educational materials and topics around Biologic Dentistry, visit our website www.Orabiologics.com and join as a free membership.

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