Florida and Utah have already removed fluoridation from public water systems. What if the rest of the country follows?

The long-term effects of banning fluoride from public drinking water across the country could cost families billions of dollars and result in millions of rotten teeth, a new analysis predicts.

The study, published Friday in JAMA Health Forum, shows that if all 50 states stopped community water fluoridation programs, kids in the U.S. could expect to develop 25.4 million more cavities within the next five years.

That’s the equivalent of a decayed tooth in 1 out of every 3 children.

The number of cavities would more than double in 10 years, to 53.8 million.

  • toy_boat_toy_boat@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    15
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    7 days ago

    it’s a weird issue to me, because it’s a really out-dated conspiracy theory.

    most people these days have been marketed away from tap water and only drink bottled stuff, which doesn’t fluoridate its water. and the people that are too poor to drink the bottled stuff probably have more to worry about when it comes to the pipes carrying the water.

    fluoridation was started a long time ago, before a lot of people brushed their teeth with toothpaste. which is the next funny thing to me. why do we still need fluoride in water if people use toothpaste now, and why are people opposed to having it in their water when they consume it voluntarily multiple times every day?

    you want to address water issues in america? start with fucking michigan. start with the lead pipes in low income areas. address the science that shows a link between lead poisoning and crime.

    • otacon239@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 days ago

      See, those last points sound good, but that doesn’t make any money for Republicans.

      • toy_boat_toy_boat@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        7 days ago

        ironic, really, given how big those elephant tusks are. but then again, they don’t embody the elephant any more. if anything, don junior taught us they just kill them for fun now