Florida's surgeon general advises against adding fluoride to drinking water
On Friday, Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced that communities in the state shouldn’t add fluoride to drinking water because of what he called the “neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure.”
On Friday, Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced that communities in the state shouldn’t add fluoride to drinking water because of what he called the “neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure.”
Fluoride has long been proven to drive down tooth decay by strengthening teeth, which Ladapo acknowledged in the guidance.
But he added that there are also possible “safety concerns related to systemic fluoride exposure,” including reductions in IQ. While some studies have suggested potential links, the research is considered preliminary and far from definitive.
The American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support the use of fluoridated water, calling it one of the top 10 public health achievements of the past century. All cite studies that show it reduces tooth decay by 25%.
Once its benefits were proven, fluoride was also added to toothpaste and some mouthwashes. Dentists began giving kids fluoride treatments. Some communities are restoring fluoride to their water systems after seeing a rise in children’s cavities.
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