The truth about fluoride: Is it a cavity fighter or health foe?
Fluoride is present in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, protecting teeth from cavities and preventing bacteria in the mouth. It’s also been added to public water supplies.
Throughout Florida, cities have temporarily removed fluoride from their drinking water because of Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s concerns about the health risks.
Here’s where Treasure Coast utilities — from Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County — stand on the issue of fluoride in drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Indian River County, Florida, drinking water?
Is there fluoride in unincorporated Indian River County, Florida? As of Jan. 23, 2025, Indian River County Utilities have not responded to a request from TCPalm and Treasure Coast newspapers, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, for comment.
Is there fluoride in Vero Beach, Florida, drinking water? Vero Beach is waiting for city staff to recommend whether to continue adding fluoride to drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Fellsmere, Florida, drinking water? As of Jan. 23, 2025, the city of Fellsmere has not responded to TCPalm’s request for comment.
Is there fluoride in St. Lucie County, Florida, drinking water?
Is there fluoride in unincorporated St. Lucie County, Florida? St. Lucie County buys its drinking water from Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, which adds fluoride. Water systems here no longer are required to add fluoride to drinking water, after a unanimous County Commission vote on Jan. 21, 2025, repealing a law on the books since 1989.
Is there fluoride in Port St. Lucie, Florida, drinking water? Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, announced it temporarily stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water on Dec. 13, 2024: “Our top priority is to provide our customers with the safest and highest-quality product possible,” Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department spokesperson Kevin Matyjaszek said in a prepared statement. “Given recent concerns, we felt it was in our customers’ best interest to temporarily halt adding fluoride to our water until more information is available.”
Is there fluoride in Fort Pierce, Florida, drinking water? The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, which adds fluoride to its drinking water, is still evaluating the situation and “may pursue an alteration to this policy in the coming months,” spokesperson Rachel Tennant said. “Our water-treatment specialists are following recent reports and expert opinions to help inform this evaluation.”
Is there fluoride in St. Lucie West, Florida, drinking water? The St. Lucie West Services District announced Dec. 3, 2024, that it immediately stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Martin County, Florida, drinking water?
Is there fluoride in unincorporated Martin County, Florida? Martin County Utilities does not add fluoride to its drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Stuart, Florida, drinking water? Stuart temporarily stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water on Dec. 4, 2024. In a 2008 referendum, voters decided they wanted fluoride added to their drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Indiantown, Florida, drinking water? Indiantown does not add fluoride to its drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Sewall’s Point, Florida, drinking water? Sewall’s Point gets its drinking water from Martin County, which does not add fluoride to drinking water.
Is there fluoride in Hobe Sound and at the town of Jupiter Island in Florida? The South Martin Regional Utility, which serves Hobe Sound and the town of Jupiter Island, does not add fluoride to its drinking water.
Original article online at: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/2025/01/23/fluoride-drinking-water-florida-port-lucie-fort-pierce-vero-beach/77902304007/