Game over for fluoride? US government starts questioning its safety, Utah bans it

For decades, fluoride has been a hot topic for conspiracy theorists, with claims linking it to mind control, neurological damage, and long-term health risks.

While health officials have long dismissed such concerns, arguing that fluoridated water is an essential public health measure to combat tooth decay, recent political and scientific developments are reshaping the debate.

Utah is taking an unprecedented step by becoming the first U.S. state to explicitly ban fluoridation in public water systems, signaling a potential turning point in this long-standing controversy.

Utah’s landmark ban on fluoridation

In a move that has stunned public health experts, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has confirmed that he will sign a bill to ban fluoride from all public water systems in the state.

When the law takes effect in early May, Utah will be the first U.S. state to prohibit the addition of fluoride, a mineral historically added to drinking water to promote dental health.

The legislation, spearheaded by Republican Representative Stephanie Gricius, frames the ban as a matter of personal choice rather than public health.

“Community water fluoridation and informed consent cannot coexist,” Gricius explained.

She believes individuals should have the right to decide whether they consume fluoride and that those who want it can still obtain it via prescription from pharmacists.

Only two of Utah’s 29 counties fluoridate their water, but those counties serve nearly half of the state’s population.

Governor Cox expressed little personal passion for the measure, stating in a weekend interview with Utah’s ABC4, “It’s not a fight I wanted, but it’s one I’ll sign.”

The health debate

The health implications of water fluoridation remain a contentious issue.

Fluoride has long been credited with reducing tooth decay, a claim supported by Utah’s Department of Health data, which shows that dental disease rates are lower in areas where fluoride is added to the water supply.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that fluoridation saves the country approximately $6.5 billion annually in dental costs.

However, fluoride opponents argue that the potential risks outweigh the benefits.

Some research links high fluoride exposure to lower cognitive ability in children, with a National Institutes of Health analysis of 74 international studies supporting concerns about its effects on childhood brain development.

The American Cancer Society, while acknowledging no strong evidence connecting fluoride to cancer, has acknowledged the need for continued research on potential risks.

In response to these ongoing debates, a federal judge in California ruled last year that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must tighten fluoride regulations in drinking water due to the possible health risks posed to vulnerable populations.

The federal government is currently appealing the decision.

America’s relationship with fluoride

Compared to much of the world, the U.S. is somewhat of an anomaly regarding water fluoridation. According to CDC data from 2022, about 63% of Americans drink fluoridated tap water.

In contrast, many other nations—including most of Western Europe—either do not fluoridate their water or only do so in very limited regions.

Some countries, like Hawaii, never added fluoride to their water systems.

Others naturally have fluoride in their water sources, eliminating the need for artificial fluoridation.

Utah’s decision may signal a shift in how U.S. states approach public health initiatives that have long been considered beneficial but also controversial.

The intersection of personal choice, public health benefits, and emerging scientific debates will likely keep the fluoride discussion alive for years.