Fluoride

Does water with fluoride cause neurological damage in babies? No, that's not true: Fluoridation is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics with no age restrictions. The Centers states that fluoride "has been proven to protect teeth from decay." The social media post about neurological damage to babies gives no scientific evidence…

Does proof exist that fluoride toothpaste causes brain damage in adults? No, that's not true: The amount of fluoride consumed when brushing teeth, even with a high-fluoride toothpaste, is far below the toxic levels cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. A study from that agency that reported the death of rodents exposed to fluoride referred only to…

Does a viral video of a "green laser" authentically show a beam igniting a Texas wildfire that started in late February 2024? No, that's not true: The clip was posted two months before the blaze. It was first published in a social media account of a person describing themselves as a "video creator" who made no references to Texas…

Can a combination of bentonite clay, calcium carbonate, crushed cloves and kaolin clay help heal cavities? No, that's not true: No reliable scientific studies show bentonite clay can cure cavities, according to the American Dental Association. They do not recommend the clay for any dental hygiene practice. The claim appeared in a video (archived here) on TikTok on July 3,…

Do "all diseases come from mineral deficiencies"? No, that's not true: While some conditions stem from mineral deficiencies, it is "absolutely not" true that all diseases are caused by not consuming enough minerals, an expert in the study of vitamins and micronutrients told Lead Stories. To say that staying in an "alkaline way of eating" and avoiding "acidosis" is a…

Does the use of chlorine in swimming pools calcify the pineal gland or contribute to calcification? No, that's not true: Lead Stories found no credible peer-reviewed studies supporting the claim, and a doctor specializing in neurology confirmed to Lead Stories that such causation is not known to the medical community. The story appeared in a post on Instagram on May…

Did the Soviet Union pioneer water fluoridation? Did it use it on prisoners in the Gulag system to control them? No, that's not true: The United States was the first country in the world to implement this technology, and there is no indication that the Soviet Union had the capability of ensuring the delivery of fluoridated drinking water to all…

Do cholesterol-lowering drugs, also known as statins, cause Alzheimer's disease (AD)? No, that's not true: A neurologist told Lead Stories there is no truth to this claim and such statements "are not based on any scientific data or valid understanding of the disease." Furthermore, modern scientific literature largely suggests that statins may actually play a role in the prevention of…

Is fluoride a toxic chemical that is neither safe or effective at preventing tooth decay? No, that's not true: In the right concentrations fluoride is a safe and effective tool for preventing tooth decay, although overexposure to high levels of the mineral has been linked to some health issues, according to U.S. health agencies. Fluoride in U.S. public water systems…

Do root canals cause cancer? No, that's not true: An endodontics resident told Lead Stories that root canals do not cause cancer. The American Association of Endodontists says that the 2019 documentary that made this claim is guilty of spreading misinformation. The claim appeared on TikTok (archived here) on December 6, 2022, with the caption "#duet with @mrbetyoudidntknow #fyp." The…