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Is Fluoride in Drinking Water Safe? What to Know After RFK Jr.’s Claims
Fluoride is found in the water of over two-thirds of Americans, and in dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash. It’s been a subject of conspiracy theories for years, and now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims Donald Trump will try to remove it from public water systems if he wins the presidency.
Kennedy, who alleged connections between vaccines and autism during his unsuccesful presidential bid, claims without proof that fluoride is linked to various health problems like joint pain, bone cancer, reduced intelligence, and thyroid issues.
“On Inauguration Day, the Trump administration will instruct all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from our drinking water,” Kennedy said in a recent social media post.
Health experts strongly disagree. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call water fluoridation one of the most important public health achievements of the past century. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics both endorse water fluoridation at recommended levels due to its benefits for oral health.
Fluoride has long been a target of conspiracy theories, even before it was used in Cold War satire like Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove.”
But what does the science really say?
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, air, food, and water worldwide. It strengthens teeth by hardening tooth enamel, making it a popular ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental sealants.
Why is Fluoride Added to Drinking Water?
The American Dental Association considers adding fluoride to water supplies a safe, effective, and affordable way to promote good oral health. Studies show that it reduces cavities in both children and adults by 25%.
Is Fluoride Dangerous?
Some recent studies have raised concerns about the effects of high fluoride levels, particularly on children’s IQ. However, these studies focused on levels far higher than those recommended in the U.S.
A 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found a link between high fluoride levels (more than 1.5 milligrams per liter) and lower IQ in children, but these levels are not typical in the U.S.
Another study suggested a possible connection between even moderate fluoride levels and neurobehavioral problems in children in the womb. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential effects of these lower levels.
The Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes that more research is necessary to determine the long-term impacts of fluoride at lower levels commonly found in U.S. water supplies.
How long has fluoride been added to tap water?
Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the first city to add fluoride to its water system in 1945. For the next 15 years, researchers followed nearly 30,000 children and discovered their cavity rates dropped by more than 60% in just 11 years.
Today, over 72% of Americans, or 209 million people, drink water that has been fluoridated. An additional 11.6 million people get their water from sources with naturally occurring levels of fluoride that are already high enough for good dental health.
The U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter to maximize oral health benefits while minimizing the risk of fluorosis, a condition caused by too much fluoride and often seen in young children.
Naturally occurring fluoride levels vary across the globe. In some villages in China, ground water contained a whopping 8 milligrams per liter, while some Canadian waters had levels below 0.05 milligrams per liter, according to the World Health Organization.
Are state water systems required to add fluoride?
No, states aren’t required by the federal government to fluoridate their water.
Decisions about adding fluoride are made at the state and local level, sometimes even put to a vote by the people.
It’s a hotly debated topic and there have been recent legislative efforts in multiple states.
* In Kentucky, a bill that would have made fluoridation optional failed to pass this year, but could be reintroduced in 2025.
* New Jersey, where adding fluoride isn’t currently mandatory, has a bill that would require it.
* Other states pushing for fluoride-related changes include Georgia, Nebraska, Missouri, and North Carolina.
