Earlier this month, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, under false claims, that fluoride is harmful and that President-elect Donald Trump and his administration will remove fluoride from drinking water.
Trump has since tapped Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after previously saying that he would let the anti-vaccine activist “do whatever he wants” with government health agencies after he’s sworn in.
Although it is not yet known what policies are to come, Kennedy has claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that “fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.”
Science does not support these claims.
Here’s everything to know about fluoride and whether it’s dangerous.
What is fluoride, and is it safe?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, rocks, plants and air. It is safe when consumed in suitable amounts and is widely considered one of the biggest public health breakthroughs of the 20th century, as it strengthens teeth and prevents cavities.
Since 1945, it has been added to local water supplies in the U.S. to help improve oral health in a cost-effective and equitable way. When communities use fluoride in their drinking water, it benefits the children who live there, especially those who lack access to dental care.
In a statement shared in October, the American Dental Association said that they, along with other major health organizations “continue to endorse community water fluoridation at optimal levels to help prevent tooth decay.”
“Even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from various sources, other studies show that community water fluoridation prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults throughout their life span.” Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S., the president of the American Dental Association, said. “The scientific weight of sound evidence around the benefit of community water fluoridation is clear and compelling.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 72.3% of the U.S. population in 2022 received fluoride in their community water supply. While water fluoridation is not mandatory, the CDC recommends fluoride concentration in drinking water of 0.7 milligrams per liter.
Pure water has a neutral pH, although drinking water may be slightly acidic or basic, depending on dissolved mineral content and other trace chemicals.
Images by Fabio / Getty Images
Are there any health risks from consuming fluoride?
Fluoride is safe and effective when used properly, but can be hazardous at high doses, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In August, the National Toxicology Program published a review of research about the association between fluoride exposure and neurodevelopment and cognition. Researchers concluded that higher levels of fluoride exposure — drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams per liter — are associated with lower IQ in children.
However, that is twice the amount of fluoride that U.S. health officials recommend in community water supplies, and experts note that the data is based on studies outside the country. Other studies that link fluoride exposure to health effects like arthritis, thyroid disease and more were also conducted outside the U.S. and involved levels well above the U.S. recommendations.
The World Health Organization also found that at higher levels, fluoride can cause negative effects like “tooth enamel and skeletal fluorosis following prolonged exposure to high concentrations.” Skeletal fluorosis is a rare but serious condition that causes joint pain and stiffness and bone weakness.
Experts emphasize that it is very difficult and unlikely to reach dangerous fluoride levels in water or over-the-counter products such as toothpaste.
Additionally, the CDC says health experts “have not found convincing scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect or systemic disorder such as an increased risk for cancer, Down syndrome, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fracture, immune disorders, low intelligence, renal disorders, Alzheimer disease, or allergic reactions.”
What will happen if fluoride is removed from water in the U.S.?
If community water fluoridation is ended in the U.S., the biggest and most immediate impact will be seen in an increase in dental cavities, especially among children.
“Water fluoridation is often referred to as a ‘public health miracle’ because it helps so many across all socioeconomic groups avoid the devastating effects of dental disease,” Dr. Athanasios Zavras, professor of Public Health and Community Service at Tufts University School of Medicine and chair of the school’s Department of Public Health and Community Service, told Health.
“Groups that consume high levels of carbohydrates will bear the burden of such increase disproportionately,” Zavras added.
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