1 in 3 kids are at risk.
A recent study has found that eliminating fluoride from U.S. public water systems could lead to a sharp increase in dental decay among children and adolescents, potentially resulting in over 25 million additional cases of tooth decay within five years. This projection equates to one in three American children developing at least one decayed tooth, according to researchers from Mass General Brigham.
Dr. Lisa Simon, who specializes in both internal medicine and dentistry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explained that fluoride strengthens tooth enamel by replacing weaker ions, thus enhancing resistance to decay caused by bacteria. The study was designed to simulate the likely impact of halting water fluoridation nationwide, offering insight into the potential public health consequences.
The concern arises amid growing political opposition to water fluoridation. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed intentions to end federal recommendations for adding fluoride to drinking water. Meanwhile, Utah and Florida have recently passed laws banning the practice. Critics, including Kennedy, have voiced concerns about potential health risks, ranging from cancer to developmental effects on children, though these claims remain controversial and are not supported by major public health organizations.
Despite this opposition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to regard water fluoridation as a major public health success. Supported by medical and dental authorities including the American Dental Association and the World Health Organization, the CDC maintains that properly regulated fluoride in drinking water is safe and effective. The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, found that eliminating fluoride would lead not only to worse oral health outcomes but also to significant economic costs—up to $9.8 billion in dental treatment over five years, rising to $19.4 billion in ten years, mostly affecting publicly insured children.
While the study acknowledges that removing fluoride could slightly reduce fluorosis—an enamel discoloration caused by high fluoride exposure—it emphasizes that the vast majority of U.S. children are currently exposed to safe and beneficial fluoride levels. The authors conclude that fluoride remains a vital tool in preventing cavities and safeguarding oral health, especially for children in underserved communities.
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