Fluoride is a mineral often used in dental products and community water supplies alike. The mineral today stands in one of the many spotlights of controversy, being publicly criticized by scientists, political figures, and even states for its potential public health concerns.
Water fluoridation was first added to the U.S at around the 19th century, and although there was no scientific research, it would be heavily criticized from the start. The topic at hand is the question on whether or not high fluoridation levels poses health threats. One of the advocates against fluoride, RFK Jr claims the mineral is one of the sources to cancer, arthritis , lower iq etc.
Furthermore Utah is one of the first states pushing the fluoride ban, although Gov Spencer Cox never made a statement about the situation. If this ban were to go through it would repeal many laws about water fluoridation, in which would be given to people in “emergency circumstance. Florida is expected to follow through as their Governor Ron DeSantis endorses Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo efforts to get rid of water fluoridation, following up with the statement “When you’re forcing it into the water supply, that’s not really giving people the choice,”. DeSantis hopes RFK Jr, the newly appointed HHS Secretary under Trump will support them on this ban.
Water fluoridation is often linked to oral help, so much so as the CDC praises it as the greatest public health achievements in the 20th century. Water fluoridation research first engaged in the 19th century when researchers analyzed a growing epidemic of bad oral hygiene. The researchers then found that certain countries with natural water fluoridation suffered less. Although it was found that high fluoridation caused problems, a low amount of fluoridation was proven to be orally healthy. In parallel to the research, water fluoridation was combatted when introduced, although there was no real scientific research, Cutting back today researchers question the cons of water fluoridation, finding many troubles such as the lowering of IQ in children as well as fetuses Tracy Bastain explains that a fetus may be at risk as fluoride may cause some stumps to its neurological development which may cause behavioural problems. Although all this research is made there may be some bias met along with it.
When ELARA students were questioned on what they thought about the ban of water fluoridation they gave their opinion.
“Yeah, fluoride should definitely be banned if all this research has been done and we’re positive that the effects are true.”
“Although I don’t know how much of what researchers say about fluoride is true but, I just don’t think there’s enough evidence to back up all of that.’
“I think fluoride is pretty useful, because its used in so many things like toothpaste, I’ve never heard bout it being in public water though. So I wouldn’t really know what to say about that.”
Water Fluoridation is at great risk of being taken out of the United states, which should prompt everyone to do their own individual research on the subject, before jumping to a definite conclusion on whether or not it should be banned. Other things that should be taken into consideration is if the problem at hand is situational, or if it’s consistently given to the public. This ban can lead to something great, with the cons being lessened, or we can be making a blunder of losing a key factor of oral health.