Life Course Center
@umnlifecourse.bsky.social
An interdisciplinary research center at the University of Minnesota promoting social participation, equity, health and well-being at all ages and life stages. lcc.umn.edu
See the full paper at: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course
Childhood fluoride exposure is associated with higher academic achievement in high school.
www.science.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
See the full paper at: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
"Fluoridating drinking water is known to have massive oral health benefits, and now it appears that it also leads to better—not worse—cognitive test performance.”
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
"Fluoridating drinking water is known to have massive oral health benefits, and now it appears that it also leads to better—not worse—cognitive test performance.”
“While extremely high levels of fluoride like we see in some parts of the world can be toxic, fluoride in drinking water at recommended levels is not."
November 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“While extremely high levels of fluoride like we see in some parts of the world can be toxic, fluoride in drinking water at recommended levels is not."
“This is a great example of understanding the data and scientific research used to draw conclusions,” says Gina Rumore, one of the study's authors at the Life Course Center.
November 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“This is a great example of understanding the data and scientific research used to draw conclusions,” says Gina Rumore, one of the study's authors at the Life Course Center.
It is the very first U.S.-based study to consider effects of fluoride within levels that occur naturally and that are recommended by the CDC.
November 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
It is the very first U.S.-based study to consider effects of fluoride within levels that occur naturally and that are recommended by the CDC.
The study used data from the nationally representative High School and Beyond cohort study, which has followed a sample of 25,000 people from high school through midlife.
November 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The study used data from the nationally representative High School and Beyond cohort study, which has followed a sample of 25,000 people from high school through midlife.
This advantage persists, though is no longer statistically significant, through approximately age 60.
November 19, 2025 at 7:23 PM
This advantage persists, though is no longer statistically significant, through approximately age 60.
LCC researchers John Robert Warren and Gina Rumore found children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in drinking water through late adolescence do better than other children on vocabulary, reading, and mathematics achievement tests in 12th grade.
November 19, 2025 at 7:23 PM
LCC researchers John Robert Warren and Gina Rumore found children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in drinking water through late adolescence do better than other children on vocabulary, reading, and mathematics achievement tests in 12th grade.