DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa House members introduced a bill that could change what’s in your drinking water.
HF 2395 would ban the addition of fluoride in public and private water systems statewide.
Supporters of the bill say it’s about health, but dentists warn the move could have lasting impacts.
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in soil and water. When fluoride is absorbed into the enamel of your teeth, it makes your teeth more resistant to tooth decay.
Under current public health guidelines, water systems are recommended to maintain fluoride at 0.7 mg/L of water.
Dr. Kevin Baker, a dentist in Des Moines and the Des Moines District Trustee with the Iowa Dental Association, says concerns surrounding fluoride largely stem from a study based on other countries.
“I believe in 2024, a study that showed decreased IQ levels with fluorinated water,” Dr. Baker, said. “However, this study was done in China and one other country and the water levels of fluoride they were measuring were more than double what the recommended amount is here.”
According to Dr. Baker, decades of research and hundreds of studies have resulted in an optimal level that minimizes harm to your body and teeth, but still gives you the benefits of increased resistance to tooth decay. He says removing it altogether could have lasting consequences.
“I would anticipate that we’re going to see an increase in tooth decay, particularly, in the more vulnerable populations,” Dr. Baker, said.
Utah and Florida have already banned the addition of fluoride to public water systems. Other states including Kentucky, Nebraska and Louisiana have debated similar legislations. All of which stem from Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to have the CDC stop recommending the practice.
In November 2024, RFK posted to X saying “Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease.”
Original article online at: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/iowa-fluoride-ban-bill-awaits-action-as-dentists-warn-of-rising-tooth-decay