What Happens When Cities Stop Adding Fluoride to Water?

Imagine a city that decided to stop adding fluoride to its water. What would happen? Let's look at Juneau, Alaska, which did just that in 2007. In a study published in 2018, researchers found that kids who grew up after the ban had more cavities and needed more dental treatments. This led to a 73% increase in dental care costs for teens, even after adjusting for inflation.

Now, why would someone like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. want to ban fluoride nationwide? He thinks it's dangerous, linking it to IQ loss and cancer. But is this true? Scientists say no. High levels of fluoride can cause dental problems, but the amounts added to water are safe. A study claimed high fluoride levels lowered IQs, but this hasn't been fully proven. Fluoride in water is a cheap and effective way to fight tooth decay. The CDC considers it one of the top public health interventions. So, should we remove it? Maybe not, as the evidence isn't strong enough to justify such a drastic move.

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