Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent comments on fluoride are prompting questions about its safety and why it’s used in drinking water.
Kennedy, a former presidential candidate turned Trump supporter who has long shared anti-vaccine views, said on social media Saturday that Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected president. Trump has previously suggested he’d put Kennedy in charge of health initiatives.
On Sunday, Trump told NBC News he had not spoken to Kennedy about fluoride yet, “but it sounds OK to me. You know it’s possible.”
In a post on social media, Kennedy claimed fluoride is linked to a slew of health problems.
Why the fear over fluoride? Here’s what to know.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and reduces cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It does this by repairing and preventing damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid, which in turn dissolves minerals in a tooth’s surface and can even lead to tooth loss.
Tooth decay by itself can be painful and costly to treat but left untreated can cause further problems, including infections and abscesses or even sepsis, according to the World Health Organization.
Some research has also linked poor oral health to other complications such as cardiovascular disease due to inflammation and infection.
This is why experts urge…
