The article discusses a response from the White House to a New York Times article that criticized Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s review of fluoride recommendations. The White House argues that the Times’s reporting misrepresents the Trump Administration’s stance on science and health, noting that many industrialized nations do not add fluoride to drinking water without adverse effects on dental health.

The White House explains that fluoride is primarily added to drinking water for medicinal purposes rather than for treating the water itself. They reference previous reporting from the Times which highlighted potential links between fluoride and lower IQ scores in children, questioning why this context was not included in their recent critique. Furthermore, they cite findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the benefits of fluoride primarily come from topical contact rather than ingestion, suggesting that fluoride consumption might not be necessary.

Recent studies mentioned by the White House suggest that fluoride exposure at certain levels may be linked to various health issues, including lower testosterone levels and increased inflammation. This underscores ongoing debates about the safety and necessity of fluoride in drinking water and reflects a broader discussion of public health policy. The article stresses the importance of informed discussions based on comprehensive evidence regarding the use of fluoride.

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