Posted on 04/23/2025 1:07:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Here's what you need to know about this hot button topic.
Key Points:
-Political controversy has stoked new conversations around the fluoridation of water and whether the mineral is safe to consume.
-Water fluoridation, or the practice of adding fluoride to sources of drinking water, has been credited as one of the greatest public health innovations of the 20th century and helps protect tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
-Dental experts and research say that water fluoridation provides vital dental support for communities, is proven to reduce rates of tooth decay, and is safe when kept at recommended concentrations. Although the addition of fluoride to drinking water has been credited for protecting the dental health of millions of Americans, it has also been a topic of controversy for decades, and the debate has recently been reignited.
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has clearly expressed his opposition to water fluoridation. Recently, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water, and late last year, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued public guidance advising communities against fluoridating their water.
While some celebrate it as a public health triumph, others question the safety and necessity of adding fluoride to drinking water. Let's explore what fluoride is, its history in water fluoridation, and what current research reveals about its implications for our health.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and certain foods. It is best known for its ability to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. When fluoride is applied to teeth, it helps rebuild enamel and may reverse early signs of tooth decay.
According to the CDC, “Almost all water contains some naturally occurring fluoride, but usually at levels too low to prevent cavities.” Due to its potential benefits for dental health, fluoride has been widely added to dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as to public water supplies.
Why is fluoride added to water in the United States? The practice of adding fluoride to drinking water began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when researchers embarked on a project to determine if water fluoridation would effectively reduce the rate of tooth decay among local children. The results were clear: Kids born after fluoride was introduced to the water supply experienced a 60% reduction in their rate of tooth decay. (Today, it's estimated that water fluoridation lessens your risk of cavities by about 25%.)
These findings made the research a remarkable success, and fluoridation became widespread across the United States in the following decades. The CDC has previously recognized community water fluoridation as "one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century." By increasing the accessibility of fluoride, public health officials have observed significant improvements in dental health, particularly in communities with limited access to professional dental care.
However, water fluoridation has its opponents. Criticism of the practice has existed since its inception, and the debate over whether consuming fluoride is safe, as well as whether communities should have access to water without it, continues into 2025.
How does fluoride improve your dental health?
Fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel and ultimately helps prevent cavities. According to the CDC, “Studies continue to show that widespread community water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves money, both for families and the health care system. Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.”
Dr. Lauren Becker, DDS, PC, owner and general dentist of her namesake dentistry practice in New York City, explains further, telling Food & Wine that “Fluoride acts as a dental barrier between teeth and helps keep the teeth strong during everyday use like chewing, drinking, and eating.” She adds, “Fluoride creates a shield so that the tooth is protected from potential bacteria, plaque, and overall buildup from occurring.”
Is fluoride in water safe?
Opponents of water fluoridation, including RFK Jr., have raised concerns that the mineral is linked to various health and developmental issues, such as cancer, weakened bones, and declines in IQ. But is there any merit to their claims?
A little background information is helpful here. To maximize the benefits of this mineral in water systems, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in drinking water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay while minimizing potential side effects.
In 2024 the National Toxicology Program (NTP) published a systematic review of research surrounding the connection between fluoride and cognitive development. This study did discover that higher levels of fluoride, such as those found in drinking water with more than 1.5 mg/L of fluoride, “are associated with lower IQ in children.”
A level of fluoride greater than 1.5 mg/L would exceed the guidelines for drinking water set by the World Health Organization and could lead to issues such as dental fluorosis — a cosmetic issue that causes discoloration of tooth enamel — or, more concerningly, skeletal fluorosis — a bone disorder.
The NTP notes that “There were insufficient data to determine if the low fluoride level of 0.7 mg/L currently recommended for U.S. community water supplies has a negative effect on children’s IQ,” and it “found no evidence that fluoride exposure had adverse effects on adult cognition.”
These findings suggest that further research is necessary to gain a clearer understanding of the connection between lower levels of fluoride (like those found in water supplies) and IQ.
Per Becker, beyond cognitive development, “There are speculations that fluoride in our drinking water may cause alternative health issues like thyroid problems or impact bone health. However, this is not scientifically backed.” The dental professional explains, “It's true that overexposure to fluoride has the potential to create other issues, but this is unlikely to occur from the safe amounts in drinking water.”
Finally, a majority of health resources, including the American Cancer Society and City of Hope — a nonprofit clinical research center for cancer — note that there is no clear or conclusive link between fluoride and cancer.
How much fluoride is in my water?
Want to ensure your drinking water has an appropriate level of fluoridation? To check the fluoride levels in your community's water supply, the CDC offers a helpful tool called My Water's Fluoride. This online resource allows users to verify if their local water is fluoridated and at what concentration.
Can removing fluoride from water cause harm?
Calgary, Canada, presents a relatively recent example of what can happen if a community decides to remove fluoride from its water.
After eliminating the mineral from its water supply in 2011, the city observed a significant increase in tooth decay and related issues — particularly among children — when compared to another major city in its province that had continued water fluoridation.
As a result, Calgary voted to reinstate water fluoridation in 2021 in response to the increase in tooth decay, although the mineral has not yet been successfully reintroduced.
What are the long term impacts of fluoride?
Supporting the strength of your teeth isn’t just about achieving a picture-perfect smile. Dental health can impact overall health, quality of life, and financial well-being.
If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infections, and even tooth loss, potentially affecting daily activities such as eating or speaking. Furthermore, the economic burden associated with dental issues can be substantial, as fillings, root canals, and extractions often incur high costs for individuals and healthcare systems.
Why Drinking Bottled Water Can Be Much Worse for You Than Tap, According to New Research
Per the CDC, “Communities of 1,000 or more people see an average estimated return on investment (ROI) of $20 for every $1 spent on water fluoridation. The ROI for community water fluoridation increases as the community size increases, but even small communities save money.” Adults and children are also likely to miss fewer days of work or school for dental appointments.
Although more research is welcome and needed, as the facts stand, dental experts and scientists have made it clear that water fluoridation benefits both your teeth and the community, as long as it is maintained within recommended levels.
And there is a whole resale market for Mexican coke in the U.S. People buy Mexican coke with real sugar in glass bottles.
It’s obvious the Florida did its job of making us stupid and getting worse. A teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water three times a weak gets rid of cavities as it raises your ph level.
Correct.
YES! NONE in my water. I have my own water.
Same here.
After 1945, they started putting it in toothpaste, which you can apply directly to teeth. No need to put the stuff in your stomach, intestines, and overtime, bones. It is easier for those who want fluoride to add it, than for those who don’t to take it out.
Regarding RFK Jr, he’s taking the Bircher position on this. Hardly leftwing on that issue.
It’s a mass medical experiment without the consent of people taking it.
For that reason alone it should be banned. If enough people want fluoride in their water the free market will provide it.
Forcing it on an entire population is wrong.
Period.
L
It has been known for years that not all fluoride molecules are safe. A good comparison is mercury, which in its purely metallic form is pretty harmless, but becomes very dangerous when it forms molecules with many other elements.
For some years, fluoride used in water was of a fairly benign form, but it was moderately expensive. Then a different form, a byproduct of aluminum smelting was found, and it was dirt cheap. And that is where many of the problems arose.
That is, fluoride =/= fluoride. But expecting a reporter, who calls himself a “journalist” to be at least passingly familiar with chemistry, seems to be a bridge too far.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorine_compounds
nickcarraway wrote: “What about about processed and highly-processed foods? Even though we have many, many studies showing the how these foods impact of these on health, so you think people who want to limit the amount of processed foods they eat are evil or kooks?”
Neither.
Any Conservative who reads that passage, doesn't see its similarity to 'climate' science BS - let alone the jabs - and fails to dismiss such statements should have their head examined.
The other should be embarrassed for failing to mention fluoride toothpaste become widespread around 1975. And for not mentioned sealants and other coatings in use since the 1980s. The statistics showing a significant benefit to fluoridated water are all ancient and long predate these advances.
Pathetic what lemmings the associations of dentists are.
If you think taking fluoride internally is good for you then good for you. Take some.
What does that have to do with you forcing me to take fluoride internally? Take that junk and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
I never even thought about fluoride my entire life, until we moved to KY and had municipal water for the first time. I was diagnosed recently with hypothyroidism. One contributing factor is iodine: inhibiting its uptake. Come to find out fluoride does just that. Added to a prescription I’m taking for something unrelated, and it seemed reasonable to become concerned. We had a reverse-osmosis system installed to remove it. I’ll be interested to see what future tests for hormone levels reveal.
“This problem actually isn’t caused by tariffs. U.S. companies know they can get away with selling U.S. customers HFCS, but they can’t with Mexican customers.”
LOL! It is mind-boggling to think Mexicans are smarter than Americans.
It is economics.
We tax sugar. Mexico taxes HFCS. We subsidize HFCS (corn).
Persevero wrote: “I don’t think it is fair to call Kennedy an anti vaccine look. He does not oppose all vaccines nor does he advocate for making them illegal afaik”
goodnesswins wrote: “Stop lying...Kennedy is not anti-vaccine, and you know it”
His record speaks for itself. He’s been a vocal critic of vaccines often spreading misinformation. The only reason he’s popular here on FR is his stance on vaccines.
Yes, it was an issue with the John Birch Society (are they still around?) in the 1950s-1960s.
Is there any proof that fluoride does any good?
I have never heard a study showing that all the money we’re putting into that helps.
Maybe the John Birch society was right.
the OlLine Rebel wrote: “Yes I don’t like the rushed COVID vaccines (pushed by a certain someone). Biology should not be rushed, so I don’t trust them.”
“In a first for vaccine development, two COVID-19 vaccines were created, evaluated and authorized for emergency use in under a year. Despite the fast timeline, these vaccines went through the appropriate clinical trials, just like other vaccines before. The CDC continues to closely monitor these vaccines for safety and efficacy.
How did the vaccines get developed so quickly? The vaccine developers did not cut corners. Rather, a true global emergency paired with early application of substantial resources made it possible. (see the link below).
https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/were-the-covid-19-vaccines-rushed
the OlLine Rebel wrote:”2nd, COVID was not proven to be a huge killer, so the importance was dubious anyway. Everyone acted so stupidly and tyrannically in those years, without any thoughtfulness, so it really should not have been activated in that insane environment anyway.”
Perhaps but one has to remember the context of their development replete with stories of hundreds of thousands of dead overwhelming the cremetories in China, and so on.
Remember, baking soda, not baking powder or you’ll have muffins going out of your nose
He is a vocal opponent of some vaccines yes.
Not all at all times and in all situations.
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