Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is following his PLDGE to order the CDCs to stop returning that US communities add fluoride to their drinking water.
The debate on the possible benefits and risks of fluoride continues to cause controversy, with Kennedy, a deceased critic, announcing this week that a working group is gathering to get to the bottom of the problem.
With oral health closely linked directly to our general well -being, bets could not be higher. The post consulted two experts to break where science is found on fluoride. Here is everything you need to know.
Why is Fluoruro well in our water?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found on the ground, water, plants and even many foods.
The practice of adding fluoride to us, drinking water, begged in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945 as an effort to reduce tooth decay. After 10 years, local dentists reported an amazing reduction of 60% in cavitions among children.
Quick advance until today: approximately one third of American community water systems serve 60% of the population with fluorked water, according to CDC. In some areas, fluoride occurs naturally at levels high enough to combat cavities.
State and local governments currently decide whether water fluority. However, last year, a California judge ordered the EPA to strengthen regulations for water fluoration throughout the country.
What are the benefits of fluoride in water?
The CDCs have acclaimed the addition of fluoride to drinking water as one of the greatest public health triumphs of the last century.
Fluoride helps prevent dental caries in two ways, according to Dr. Scott Schwartz, a pediatric dentist and elected administrator of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which supports community water fluoration.
“First, fluoride helps to remineralize or strengthen teeth that can have tooth decay. In fact, teeth are stronger after fluoride is incorporated from what they are naturally,” said Schwartz.
“In addition, fluoride helps kill bacteria that cause cavities,” he said.
Dental caries, or cavities, is a common chronic and prevention disease. According to CDC, fluorinated water to drink can reduce its risk by approximately 25% in children and adults.
“The prevention of cavities reduces tootaches, reduces the need for visits and fillings of dentists, and keeps children at school and parents working,” said Dr. Donald Chi, a associated pediatric and dean dentist for research in the faculty of hate of the University of Washington.
“Water fluoration is equally more important for people in low -income communities because it can be their only source,” he added.
And the benefits are not just for teeth, it is also a victory for wallets. Communities with fluorinated water save an average of $ 32 per person each year avoiding the cost of combination cavities, according to CDC.
Are there risks associated with the consumption of too much fluoride?
Kennedy has criticized fluoride, describing it as “industrial waste” and arguing that adding it to drinking water can damage brain development, bone health and cause other problems.
“Like anything, too good is something bad,” said Schwartz. “For example, chlorine is added to both community water supplies and to the pools to kill microbes and improve safety, the difference in how much is key.”
Drinking water should not contain more than two milligrams per liter or fluoride, according to the EPA. If the levels exceed this amount, water systems are required to alert customers.
When it comes to approximately four milligrams per liter or more, the CDC suggest using a “filter that eliminates water fluoride.” In the long term, this level of fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, causing weaker risks or bones in the elderly, the stiffness of the joints and more.
Schwartz described two main concerns that he often listens to the public about fluoride in drinking water.
“The most recently involved concerns involve fluoride paper as neurotoxin, specifically a reduction in IQ scores and the calcification of the pineal gland,” he said.
An August report of the National Federal Toxicology program, after reviewing fluoride research, concluded with “modern confidence” that the highest levels of fluoride are associated with a lower intellectual coefficient in children.
However, the American Dental Association responded, arguing that the studies on which the report was based were mainly based on countries with much higher levels of fluoride than are considered insurance in the United States.
The review did not determine whether the low level of fluoride or 0.7 mg/l currently recommended for community water supplies in the United States has some negative effect on children’s intellectual coefficient.
Another common concern is the impact that fluoride can have on teeth development.
“Too much fluoride incorporated into a tooth that is being developed can cause a condition called fluorosis,” Schwartz explained. Fluorosis is mainly a cosmetic problem, which goes from a mild discoloration to dark bite or roughness on the tooth surface.
In light of thesis concerns, Schwartz said that the United States Public Health Service reduced its recommendation for fluoride levels in community water systems in 2015 to achieve a better balance between fluoride benefits and fluorosis risk.
“[This] It also demonstrates that organizations such as CDC and FDA are routinely reviewing levels to guarantee maximum security for the American public, “Schwartz said.
Where has the fluoride of the drinking water be eliminated?
As scientific questions about the risks and benefits of fluoride are still unresolved, critics argue that people should not be forced to drink it. This has led to a growing number of communities to reject public health practice.
Since 2010, more than 170 communities throughout the country have chosen to move the fluoride of their drinking water, including places like Oneida, New York; Portland, Oregon; And Bucks County, Pennsylvania, according to the fluoride action network, which opposes the practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies.
Last month, Utah made history by becoming the first state of the United States to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public drinking water. Anti-Fluorid laws such as North Dakota, Tennessee and Montana have also been introduced.
What happens when fluoride is no longer added to the water?
Chi warned that thesis movements could serious consequences, partly in low -income communities that depend on drinking water as its main source of fluoride.
“This average drilling in Teth and more teeth have to be eliminated, which will make life more difficult for low -income families, many of which Alreamy have difficulty finding dentists for their children,” he said.
Chi’s concerns are not just hypothetical. While only a handful of studies have analyzed the effects of fluoride elimination, they show a clear trend: the number of cavities increases.
Take Juanau, the capital of Alaska, for example. After eliminating the fluoride from his water in 2007, a 2018 study found that children under 7 years in fluorinated water required approximately 34% more dental procedures than children in fluorid areas.
“Without improving health in other aspects, eliminating water fluoride will put the oral health of millions of Americans at risk,” Schwartz warned.
What are some alternative sources or fluoride?
If you live in a community that has banned fluoride or is thinking about it, there are still many ways to make sure you get enough from the mineral.
Fluorized toothpaste and mouthwashes are easy to find in their local store, and for those with a high risk of tooth decay, dentists can prescribe fluoride supplements or provide special treatments to help their fluoride consumption.
But it’s not just about brushing your teeth. Fluoride occurs naturally in a variety of foods, which include green and black tea, fish, shellfish, oats, raisins and potatoes.
And if you are looking to increase your consumption without changing your diet, you can wear fluorinated table salt when cooking.
