What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Added to Drinking Water?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and certain foods. In the 1940s, American health officials began adding small, regulated amounts of fluoride to public water systems after studies showed it could reduce tooth decay. This practice, known as water fluoridation, aims to strengthen tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to cavities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 72% of Americans now receive fluoridated water, and it is considered one of the major public health achievements of the 20th century.
In 2015, the U.S. Public Health Service recommended 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of drinking water as an optimal level, lowering the prior range to balance dental benefits against the risk of fluorosis, a condition where excess fluoride leads to white spots on teeth, typically affecting children.
RFK Jr. and Trump Question Fluoridation’s Safety
Kennedy, a long-time critic of water fluoridation, claims fluoride poses various health risks, though these assertions lack scientific consensus. In a recent social media post, he listed several potential dangers associated with fluoride, including bone fractures and neurodevelopmental disorders. He cited a 2023 federal court order requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further examine fluoride’s potential risks to children’s neurological development.
Trump has expressed openness to Kennedy’s anti-fluoridation stance, suggesting that Kennedy could play a leading role in public health initiatives if Trump were re-elected. This possible shift from decades of established policy has divided public opinion, with supporters viewing fluoride as essential for dental health and opponents, including some local governments, arguing that fluoride use is outdated and potentially harmful.
Health Benefits and Risks: What Science Says About Fluoride in Water
The American Dental Association (ADA) and CDC strongly endorse water fluoridation, with studies showing that fluoridated water can reduce the risk of tooth decay by about 25% across age groups. Drinking water, according to ADA, delivers fluoride effectively and cost-efficiently to the entire community, providing cavity protection, especially for populations that may not have consistent access to dental care or fluoride-containing products.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also supports fluoridation, noting its benefits in reducing tooth decay and citing countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil, which also use fluoride in public water. The CDC and ADA both caution, however, that excessive fluoride exposure could lead to skeletal fluorosis or brittle bones, although these outcomes are rarely seen at the concentrations used in U.S. public water systems.
New Research and Emerging Concerns
Recent research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has added a layer of complexity to the fluoride debate. A 2023 report from the NIH found a moderate link between higher levels of fluoride and lower IQ scores in children. While the study focused on fluoride exposure above typical U.S. water levels, it has reignited calls for stricter fluoride regulations. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other health organizations challenge these findings, citing a lack of consistent evidence to justify removing fluoride from drinking water.
Local opposition to water fluoridation has grown in recent years, with some community leaders citing alternatives, like fluoride toothpaste, that could offer similar benefits without affecting the entire water supply. They also point to successful dental health outcomes in countries that have reduced or eliminated fluoride in drinking water. However, the CDC maintains that community water fluoridation remains the “most cost-effective method” for cavity prevention.
Fluoride in Drinking Water Supplies if Donald Trump Is Re-Elected
With the possibility of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. influencing a future Trump administration, discussions about fluoride in drinking water may shift from local governments to the national stage. A rollback of fluoridation policies would mark a substantial change, with wide-reaching effects on both public health policy and infrastructure.
The potential for change has sparked concern among dental and public health experts, many of whom see fluoridated water as a non-negotiable aspect of dental care for communities. Yet the debate has also spurred calls for more research to ensure public health practices align with the latest scientific evidence.
