Summary

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting local decisions on fluoridation.

Cox cited cost and personal choice, likening fluoride to government “medication.”

The ban faces opposition from dentists and health experts, who argue fluoride prevents cavities and benefits low-income communities.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans receive fluoridated water. Some cities have already removed fluoride, and a recent court order requires the EPA to regulate high levels that may affect children’s intellectual development.

  • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    Technically there is very little evidence of the benefits of flouridated water, aside from reducing tooth decay, but there are absolutely zero risks too.

    • SynonymousStoat@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      Helping prevent tooth decay is the whole point of fluoridated water isn’t it? I also believe dental health has been linked to other health issues like increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        It doesn’t prevent tooth decay, you still have to take good care of your teeth with it, but it reduces tooth decay. Reduces. Important distinction.

          • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            I’m saying if this becomes more of a partisan political issue then I will refuse to argue with the dipshits.

            There are much more important issues at hand.

    • Habahnow
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      5 days ago

      I don’t know if this is sarcastic or not. We’re in the type of world where would be sarcastic statements could be serious.

      This feels like someone saying, “there’s little evidence of vaccines having benefits, aside from preventing disease and death, but there’s absolutely little risk too”

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        Vaccines actually prevent sickness and death in the vast majority. Like 95% reduction in cases.

        Flouridated water has been shown by World Oral Health Report 2003 to reduce the rate at which dental caries (tooth decay) require intervention by 15% and UK NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination found 14.6%, however other studies have explored the idea that this rate of decline could be correlated with flouridated water and was not caused by it.

        Again I think we should keep flouridating water but its not the end of the world if we don’t.

        • Bone@lemmy.world
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          5 days ago

          Not the flu vaccine. It’s nowhere near 95% effective. But that’s not the point. You still take it especially if you are vulnerable.

    • infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net
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      4 days ago

      Technically there is very little evidence of the benefits of flouridated water, aside from reducing tooth decay

      Reducing tooth decay is such a massive benefit to the population that at first I thought you were making as sarcastic joke here. I think you underestimate what a big deal that actually is.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        What an original reply I’m so glad you’re not repeating the same things everybody else is saying.