Fluoride in water: The role of experts and debate around its benefits
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The debate over fluoridation in drinking water is once again ignited.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. If confirmed, Kennedy could influence federal health policy — and he has publicly questioned the need for fluoride in drinking water.
So, why is fluoride added to our water in the first place? And what are its benefits?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in both fresh and saltwater. In many U.S. cities, small amounts of fluoride are added to drinking water to help protect teeth from acid and prevent tooth decay.
Frank Counts, a pediatric dentist and chair of the North Carolina Dental Society Council on Prevention and Oral Health, explains that fluoride’s effectiveness depends on the amount added to the water.
“Studies that are quoted by people concerned about fluoride are from other areas and parts of the world where much higher levels of fluoride were present, along with other factors like arsenic.”
Counts also points out that fluoride can help those without access to regular dental care.
“It helps people who can’t afford or don’t have insurance to get care, significantly reducing decay. This saves the state — estimates say fluoridated water saves North Carolina $800 million a year in reduced dental fees.”
The federal government recommends adding 0.7 parts per million of fluoride to drinking water. In Wilmington, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has followed this guideline since its founding in 1955.
Kenneth Waldroup, Executive Director of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, confirms that they’ll continue following federal guidelines.
“We will continue to follow national health experts at DHHS and environmental experts at the EPA, and we’ll adjust if any changes in guidance occur.”
Some people have recently raised concerns about fluoride affecting children’s cognitive development. However, Counts says there’s no evidence to support these claims.
