In recent weeks, Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr. has been hollering about fluoride and its many “dangers”. The known anti-vaxxer has made claims about how fluoride is slowly killing American citizens and decreasing the health of the general public.
This begs the question of why fluoride was added to the public water supply in the first place?
In the 1930s, scientists discovered that areas with high amounts of fluoride deposits in drinking water had better dental hygiene than those without. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water supplies across the globe, and can be medicated to prevent tooth enamel from eroding.
When too much fluoride is exposed to enamel, dental fluorosis can occur which causes one’s teeth to stain easily. 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter is the ideal amount and the most commonly occurring in the American water supply. India, which has excessively high fluoride concentrations, has about 2.37 milligrams per liter and much higher rates of dental fluorosis.
It is also important to note that dental fluorosis is a purely cosmetic concern and does not actually have any harm to the individual; a small price to pay for less cavities, bills, and tooth removals.
Over the years, many have tried to connect fluoride to bone diseases, but all have been disproven, similarly to the vaccines and autism connection.
Having fluoride in the water supply is beneficial for people of low economic status as well. While other individuals can purchase fluoride-rich toothpaste and dental care on a regular basis, keeping fluoride in the water supply helps the disadvantaged American avoid pricey visits to the dentist.
Grant Jaques, a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, has many concerns about the Department of Health. “There are so many real problems in this country including cancer, obesity and HIV, but instead of actually doing anything about them we are defunding cancer research for kids and entertaining the conspiracy theories of a known crazy person who shouldn’t even be the Secretary of Health,” he said.
This also raises questions about Robert Kennedy Jr.’s qualifications. He has no degree in medical studies or anything of the kind. He is a lawyer (not a very good one) who has failed time and time again at everything he does. Also a convicted heroin addict that got his friends and family killed by exposing them to drugs, he is possibly the least qualified individual in the country to lecture people on health.
Other students agree with Jaques, and voice concern for the lack of trustworthy American leaders. “It’s simply insane that we are allowing these clowns into the government when they have no qualifications, are proven to be pathological liars, and are failures at what they do. They’ve all gone on record for saying Trump’s an idiot but the second he gives them a paycheck they’re kissing his feet and rubbing his back,” complained senior Owen Zietlow.
“This is either extreme stupidity from RFK Jr, or a larger scheme to keep the poor down,” states Jaques. “Nothing done during this administration has actually helped people. Prices have gone up, our allies hate us, and now they’re trying to ruin our bodies.”
