Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo advised against adding fluoride to drinking water due to potential risks associated with fluoride exposure, including neuropsychiatric concerns and reductions in IQ. While organizations like the American Dental Association support fluoridated water’s benefits in reducing tooth decay, some studies have suggested possible links to health risks, leading to increased skepticism and opting out of adding fluoride to water systems in some communities.
Despite the controversy, some communities are working to reintroduce fluoride into their water supply after realizing its absence led to increased cavities, particularly in children. This has been seen in cities like Buffalo, New York, Abilene, Kansas, and McVille, North Dakota. The CDC highlights the importance of fluoride in addressing oral health disparities, especially among lower-income families who have limited access to dental care.
While fluoride skeptics and ongoing research question the safety and efficacy of fluoridated water, the public health benefits, particularly in reducing tooth decay, remain significant. Public health experts emphasize the importance of fluoridated water in addressing oral health disparities and serving as an invisible population intervention to help the most vulnerable. However, critics continue to push for more scrutiny and regulation of water fluoridation practices to ensure public safety.
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