Is Fluoride On The Way Out? Experts Sound Alarm Over Potential Public Health Risks

Amid new debates over public health policies, fluoride—a substance long hailed for its cavity-preventing benefits—could face a rollback from public water supplies under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Concerns are especially high among public health advocates as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal fluoride opponent and Trump adviser, suggests fluoride’s days in U.S. tap water may be numbered.

Fluoride, a mineral naturally occurring in water, has been widely added to public water systems since 1945, a practice endorsed by major health organizations like the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Research consistently shows that fluoride reduces cavity rates by as much as 25%, particularly benefiting communities without access to regular dental care. Yet, despite the support of these institutions, Kennedy’s recent comments have renewed fears about its removal.

Kennedy, a known critic of fluoride who has previously linked it to various health issues without medical backing, recently stated, “I think fluoride is on the way out, and the faster, the better.” He has pointed to alleged risks of fluoride exposure, from bone fractures to lowered IQ in children, claims that remain unsubstantiated by extensive scientific research. If influential in the new administration, Kennedy could guide local communities to reconsider fluoride’s role in their water supplies.

Health professionals are voicing concern that an end to water fluoridation could signal a major setback in oral health across the country, particularly for children. Dr. Meg Lochary, a pediatric dentist in North Carolina—a state where some towns have recently opted out of fluoridation—warns of long-term consequences. “In areas without fluoride, we’re already seeing an increase in tooth decay,” she said. “If we lose fluoride nationwide, more children will face preventable dental issues.”

Fluoride’s benefits are particularly crucial for children, according to the CDC, which has named fluoridation one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Fluoride helps protect tooth enamel, reducing acid erosion caused by bacteria. Since the early 1900s, communities that naturally or artificially introduced fluoride into their water supplies saw significant drops in cavity rates—a trend first noted in Colorado Springs, where naturally high fluoride levels correlated with better dental health.

Still, opposition persists. Some critics, citing studies suggesting potential risks to children’s neurodevelopment, argue for “pausing” fluoridation while further research is conducted. Studies from sources like JAMA Pediatrics suggest slight IQ differences in children whose mothers had higher fluoride exposure during pregnancy, though these findings are debated and do not support eliminating fluoride outright.

In a recent ruling, a federal judge urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review fluoridation policies, though he stopped short of concluding it posed a public health threat. With numerous communities already reevaluating fluoride’s role, a nationwide change may accelerate if federal attitudes toward fluoride shift.

Despite the political uncertainty, health experts, including Dr. David Margolius, Cleveland’s director of public health, assure parents that fluoride remains a valuable and safe tool for cavity prevention. “There’s no solid evidence linking fluoride to lower IQ or other health concerns in the general population,” he emphasized. Parents with concerns are encouraged to discuss fluoride with their family dentist to make informed decisions.

Dr. Richard Besser, former acting CDC director, advises parents to view fluoride scientifically. “Fluoride’s benefits for dental health are well-established. Parents have every right to ask questions, but dismissing fluoride altogether contradicts decades of research,” he said.

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the fate of fluoride in America’s water remains uncertain. For now, health advocates hope to keep the conversation focused on science and the proven benefits fluoride brings to millions of Americans, particularly children.