Donald Trump would prioritize removing fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected, according to former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
On Saturday, Kennedy, known for promoting widely debunked health claims and whom Trump has pledged will “take care of health” in his administration, announced on social media platform X that fluoride was “an industrial waste” and linked it to various health issues.
Fluoride naturally occurs in groundwater, water sources, and plants. Its controlled addition to drinking water has long been regarded as one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century for its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral released from rocks into soil, water, and certain plants, such as tea, which absorb and concentrate it. While some claim it is an industrial waste product, experts like Prof. Oliver Jones of RMIT University clarify that fluoride is a natural substance that has been widely used to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. Incorporated into tooth enamel, fluoride forms a mineral called fluorapatite, which enhances resistance to acid from bacteria, reducing decay, says Prof. Loc Do of the University of Queensland.
Why is Fluoride Added to Drinking Water?
Since the early 1900s, it was observed that areas with higher fluoride levels in water had lower rates of dental decay. Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to fluoridate its water in 1945. Fluoridation remains voluntary in the US, where more than 67% of the population had access to fluoridated water by 2012. In 2011, the recommended fluoride level was adjusted to 0.7 parts per million (ppm), down from a maximum of 1.2 ppm.
Fluoridated drinking water is supported by international health agencies as safe and effective in preventing dental issues. Contrary to claims made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., studies find no link between regular drinking water fluoride and conditions like osteoporosis or cancer. However, high levels of fluoride can lead to skeletal and dental fluorosis, but these effects are seen only at levels significantly above the safe limit.
In 2023, the US National Toxicology Program noted possible links between fluoride levels above 1.5 ppm and reduced IQ in children, but experts point out the need for more high-quality studies.
Global Adoption of Water Fluoridation Dozens of countries add fluoride to water supplies, including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil, with approximately 435 million people globally accessing fluoridated water. Fluoridation is also seen as an equitable measure, benefiting individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds by passively reducing tooth decay.
Potential Changes if Trump Wins the US Election Former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now a Trump ally, stated that Trump would prioritize removing fluoride from drinking water if elected. While Trump has not directly confirmed plans for fluoridation removal, he remarked that the idea “sounds OK.”
Effects of Removing Fluoride Several regions have halted fluoridation in the past, often seeing an increase in dental issues. For example, Calgary, Canada, observed higher cavity rates in children after stopping fluoridation in 2011 and plans to reintroduce it in 2025. Similarly, Israel witnessed increased dental treatment rates after ending fluoridation in 2014. Conversely, Germany discontinued fluoridation in the 1970s but provides fluoride-fortified salt to residents instead.
