Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 6 announced his intent to sign a bill that would effectively ban fluoride from being added to public water supplies, making Florida the second state in the United States to do so.
Alongside Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, DeSantis spoke about the “Florida Farm Bill” (SB 700) and fluoride in general at a press conference in Miami.
“It’s forced medication when they’re jamming fluoride into your water supply,” said DeSantis.
The Florida Farm Bill doesn’t specifically mention fluoride. Instead, it creates a legal definition for water quality additives that prohibits local municipalities from adding any chemicals into local water supplies that do not meet the new criteria.
At the press conference, DeSantis brought up studies he said pointed to physical and mental health risks associated with overexposure to fluoride.
The Florida Dental Association previously issued a statement about the subject, calling the reports “flawed and unscientific.”
The U.S. began adding fluoride to its water supply around 80 years ago as a way to prevent tooth decay. Like water and oxygen, too much of anything can have repercussions. Overexposure to fluoride does have some minor risks, like slight teeth discoloration.
At the right amounts, fluoride strengthens teeth by hardening the outer enamel. This protects it from acid attacks from bacteria and ultimately prevents cavities, according to Johns Hopkins.
Here’s what to know about Florida’s fluoride ban and how you can keep your teeth protected.
What does Florida’s fluoride ban bill (SB 700) do?
The Florida Farm Bill is a 111-page piece of legislation that touches on nearly two dozen aspects related to agricultural and consumer services, such as adopting rules for electric vehicle charging stations, allowing drones to be used to manage and eradicate plant and animal disease and more.
The legislation never mentions fluoride. Instead, it seems to add a new section to Florida Statutes that defines water quality additives and prohibits local governments from adding any additive that doesn’t meet the definition.
Under the bill, a water quality additive is any chemical, additive or substance used in public water systems for the purpose of:
Adding fluoride to public water supplies does not fall under the newly proposed definition and is largely seen as a public health measure.
“Not only is it (water fluoridation) safe, it’s a game-changer for dental health,” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said.
Proponents of the bill argue that it shouldn’t be up to the government to decide whether to put drugs and chemicals in people’s bodies.
“This is not about fluoride,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Hillsborough. “This is about your liberty.”
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that can be naturally found in soil, all water and even many foods, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What are the benefits of fluoride?
After more than 80 years of study, fluoride’s benefits are pretty clear-cut. When a community is able to precisely adjust the level of naturally occurring fluoride in its water supply, it leads to the single most effective, safe and cost-effective way to prevent dental decay and repair early tooth decay, according to the Florida Dental Association.
The CDC estimates that fluoridation has reduced tooth decay in children by 40-70% and reduced tooth loss in adults by 40-60%. Community water fluoridation is listed in the CDC’s 10 great public health achievements between 1900-1999.
A lot of studies focus on the benefits fluoride provides children, but it helps adults in several ways, too.
The Cleveland Clinic says that fluoride can help treat dry mouth, which makes people more prone to oral health issues like gum disease and cavities. It can help fight gum disease, which exposes teeth and gums to bacteria and increases your risk of tooth decay.
Fluoride also helps anyone with crowns, bridges, braces or removable partial dentures, which can also increase the risk of cavities.
Is fluoride toxic?
Fluoride can be toxic at high enough levels, but the same is true of most substances.
Earth’s atmosphere has just the right amount of oxygen to support life, which is toxic to every form of life as we know it at high levels.
Water, another building block of life, can be toxic in large quantities, too. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause your body’s cells to swell, which can lead to serious health complications and death.
Like water and oxygen, ingesting a dangerous amount of fluoride is only likely to happen in an extreme scenario like accidental contamination.
What are the negative side effects of fluoride?
High exposure to fluoride can cause a condition known as fluorosis, which is a fancy word for tooth discoloration, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Fluorosis is most commonly observed in people consuming naturally occurring fluoride, like well water. It often leads to spots on your teeth that can range from white to brown streaks.
In extreme cases, high exposure to fluoride can lead to denser bones, which can cause them to be more fragile and brittle, according to the CDC.
How can I make sure I’m getting enough fluoride?
Florida will be the second state in the U.S. to ban fluoride from its water supplies, but fluoridation adoption isn’t 100% across the country. As a result, you can still find products with fluoride to make up the difference.
Outside of your annual dentist visits, brushing twice daily and flossing, you’ll want to make sure you’re using fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride toothpaste cause the mineral to stick to your teeth, rebuilding the material that is lost and added to the surface of your teeth naturally over the course of the day. It also increases the amount of fluoride in your saliva, which helps further strengthen your outer enamel layer, according to the CDC.
You can also purchase fluoride mouth rinse for daily or weekly use. The mouth rinse works to protect the enamel in the same way as fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride gel, foam and supplements are also available from your dentist. Talking with your dentist about these treatments will be the best way to ensure your teeth are protected.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: DeSantis says he’s going to sign bill banning fluoride. Here’s how that will impact you
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
