What Would Happen If We Banned Fluoride?

TOP OF MIND

"Yes, ban all fluoride!" - Cavities
Earlier this year, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the CDC to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. The administration also announced that it's reviewing "new scientific information" on potential health risks of fluoride in our drinking water.

This has sparked conversation of a nationwide fluoride ban. Utah and Florida have already banned the addition of fluoride to public water systems, and a few other states (Nebraska, Massachusetts and Kentucky) aren't far behind.

According to a new study, if all 50 states followed suit, kids in the U.S. could expect to develop nearly 26 million more cavities within the next five years. Essentially, 1 out of every 3 children would have tooth decay.

The important bits
At one point in time, fluoridation of drinking water was named one of the 20th century's greatest public health achievements by the CDC.

In the early 20th century, dental decay was widespread and caused significant pain and tooth loss, especially in young children. Then in the 1930s, researchers noticed that people in certain areas, such as Colorado, had far less tooth decay and eventually linked this to naturally occurring fluoride in the local water supply.

More research was conducted, and it was determined that at low levels, fluoride can protect against tooth decay.

So why do some people want to ban it? Well, there was a study published in 2019 that suggested IQ levels were slightly lower in kids whose mothers had higher measures of fluoride in their urine during pregnancy. We're talking two to five points lower.

However, nearly all experts agree that any developmental decline would only happen if you're getting an unhealthy dose of fluoride. Exposure to fluoride levels in water of 1.5 milligrams per liter—more than twice the recommended amount—could pose a small risk to early brain development.

What's it all mean?
As with most things in life, moderation is key. In 2011, the Canadian city of Calgary removed it from their public water systems, only to reverse the decision 10 years later after the area experienced a significant rise in cavities.

But if you're totally against fluoride, at least consider using Hydroxyapatite toothpaste, which also protects against cavities and has been approved by dentists in Europe. This toothpaste by Boka is made for kids and highly rated!

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DOSE OF GOOD

@breannetaylorr

Me as a virgo mom 😂 #fy #babiesoftiktok

BITES WITH KIYAH

The scorching hot days of summer call for snacks that are not only delicious but also keep you cool and energized. But, in conditions like that, who wants to spend hours in a hot kitchen?

That's why I've compiled a list of 25+ fantastic no-bake snack ideas that will satisfy your cravings without requiring any time near the oven.

Get the full list of ideas here.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked if you'd want a National Medal of Motherhood from the government, and just under 60% of you said, "No thanks!" while "Does it come with free childcare?" came in second with around 30% of the vote.

BTW, WE HAVE A REFERRAL PROGRAM!