Fluoride in water raises health concerns amid ongoing debate

Sky News highlights in its article that the debate over adding fluoride to drinking water is resurfacing as new studies and public figures weigh in on the issue. 

The discussion over whether fluoride should be added to tap water is not a recent one.  This practice, intended to prevent tooth decay, has been in place for 60 years. Since fluoride toothpaste became more widely available in the 1970s, concerns have grown about the continued need to add it to the drinking water supply.

The issue has resurfaced in public debate, especially with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary, stating he would ban it.

Despite RFK Jr.'s reputation for controversial views on public health, the fluoridation debate is one that cannot be entirely dismissed.

A study in the US has connected fluoride to a reduction in children's IQs, while a UK study has raised doubts about its overall effectiveness when added to water.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks, which seeps into the soil, rivers, and lakes. Fluoride supports dental health by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, and by reducing the acid produced by bacteria on teeth, according to the Oral Health Foundation.

It is particularly beneficial for children's teeth, as research suggests that ingesting fluoride during tooth development helps make enamel more resistant to acid attacks and tooth decay later on.

Dr. Kunal Patel, a private and NHS dentist with 15 years of experience, told Sky News that the benefits of fluoride are "drilled into" dental students, noting that there are "scientifically proven benefits" to including fluoride in oral hygiene routines.

He describes fluoride as a passive way to protect your teeth.

"If you decide not to use fluoride, then your brushing, flossing, and other cleaning techniques have to be that much more effective," he adds.

Nearly all water contains some naturally occurring fluoride, but typically, it’s not enough to prevent tooth decay. In certain areas, however, the water supply naturally has higher levels of fluoride, which will be discussed later.

We also obtain trace amounts of fluoride from much of our food and drink, with brewed tea being a significant source, as tea plants absorb fluoride from the soil. Most toothpaste now contains fluoride to provide additional protection against decay.

Many oral health experts believe that adding fluoride to water, a process known as fluoridation, is the most effective way to reduce dental problems on a large scale, particularly in underprivileged areas.

The practice began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after scientists observed that people in areas with naturally higher fluoride levels in the tap water had fewer dental issues.

In England, fluoridation started in 1964 with a pilot scheme in Birmingham.

Since then, it has been implemented for about 75 per cent of the US population, compared to approximately 10 per cent in England.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 400 million people in 25 countries receive artificially fluoridated water, while roughly 50 million have naturally occurring fluoride levels comparable to those in artificial schemes.

By Naila Huseynova