It’s Time to Get Fluoride Out of Our Water
We need to talk about fluoride in our drinking water. It might’ve made sense in the 1950s, but today, it’s outdated—and potentially harmful. The truth is, we have safer, more precise ways to get fluoride if we want it. Pills, toothpaste, mouthwash—these all let people choose their own dose. But when it’s in the water, we’re all forced to consume it, whether we need it or not.
And here’s the kicker: people drink very different amounts of water. A construction worker in the sun might drink three times more than someone sitting at a desk all day. Kids, adults, athletes, seniors—we all have different needs. So the idea of a “safe” level of fluoride in water is shaky at best. It doesn’t make sense to treat the whole population through something as variable as water intake.
Then there’s the science. For over 50 years, studies have raised questions about fluoride and its links to cancer, thyroid problems, brittle bones, and even lower IQ in kids. This isn’t fringe stuff—the National Research Council and other major institutions have said there are risks we can’t ignore, especially with long-term exposure.
And let’s be clear: fluoride is not a vitamin. It’s not something we need in our diet. You can’t be “fluoride deficient.” If someone wants it for their teeth, great—use toothpaste or talk to a dentist about supplements. But putting it in the water turns it into mass medication, and that takes away our ability to opt out.
Other countries have figured this out. Most of Europe doesn’t fluoridate water, and they still have strong dental health. They use education, targeted treatment, and fluoride toothpaste instead. We should be doing the same.
This isn’t anti-science. It’s pro-choice. Fluoride has benefits—let people choose when and how to take it. But stop forcing it through something as essential and uncontrollable as water.