GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The City of Gatlinburg will keep adding fluoride to its water supply after outrage from neighbors and health professionals.
The City sent a letter to utility customers earlier in August, saying they were considering removing fluoride — a naturally occurring mineral that doctors say strengthens tooth enamel and can help prevent cavities. It’s been added to drinking water for decades.
“Fluoride as a chemical element has a high affinity for calcium, which is what our teeth are made out of. Probably about 75-80 years ago, they started adding fluoride to water drinking supplies, with the hope that it would improve dental health and reduce childhood cavities,” Dr. Nathan Duncan, an associate professor of chemistry at Maryville College, said.
In recent years, debates about it have become more common. In May, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in its public water supply. And Gatlinburg City Commissioners planned to vote in September on removing it.
Aug. 18, a city spokesperson confirmed that it won’t be happening. In an emailed statement, the spokesperson said the decision was inspired by feedback. That statement can be read below.
“The City of Gatlinburg will continue adding fluoride to the municipal water supply.
Earlier this month, the City distributed a letter in its water bills to customers informing them that we were considering the potential removal of fluoride from the water system and inviting public input on the issue. This letter noted that the City was going to explore taking action on this item at its September 16, 2025 City Commission Meeting. The City sincerely appreciates the responses we received from residents, community members, and local health and dental professionals.
After reviewing the feedback from our customers — and receiving strong support from Gatlinburg’s health and dental practitioner community — we believe that maintaining fluoride in the water system is in the best interest of our citizens. Fluoridation remains a safe, effective, and equitable public health practice that helps promote better oral health outcomes across all age groups.
In light of this community input, the City will no longer pursue a vote on fluoridation at the September City Commission meeting.
The City of Gatlinburg remains committed to listening to our residents and making decisions that support the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Duncan said the mineral can have health benefits, especially for children.
“In kids, your adult teeth start coming in before your baby teeth have even fallen out, and you can actually have your adult teeth come in with tons of cavities already in them. And so fluoride kind of helps protect against that as well,” Duncan said.
Removing fluoride from water can also disproportionately affect low-income families and their children, according to Duncan. He said that fluoride in drinking water offers children’s teeth some protection even if they don’t have consistent access to dental care.
“If you remove that, most likely folks that are in the higher income levels, they probably already have good dental insurance. They’re having good dental care already,” he said. “They’re more likely to have access to better education, maybe better dental hygiene practices like toothpaste, mouthwash, kids’ fluoride mouthwash, that sort of thing that would help their kids.”
Original article online at: https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/sevierville-sevier/city-of-gatlinburg-will-keep-fluoride-in-its-water-after-vote-on-whether-or-not-to-remove-it/51-03d2528e-e259-400e-b9e8-01cb24cd62f6