this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2025
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A bill to ban the use of the mineral in public water passed the Florida House 88-27. It now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature.

Lawmakers in Florida gave final passage to a bill to ban fluoride in public water systems Tuesday, with the state House voting 88-27.

SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, doesn't mention the word "fluoride," but it would effectively ban the chemical compound by preventing "the use of certain additives in a water system." The bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature.

If DeSantis, a Republican, signs the bill, Florida will become the second state to ban fluoride from water supplies.

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[–] ALilOff@lemmy.world 11 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Looks like dentists in Florida are about to make a killing.

[–] Canadian_anarchist@lemmy.ca 2 points 17 hours ago

You're assuming people can afford to go to the dentist.

[–] 2ugly2live@lemmy.world 4 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

Dumb question: if this becomes countrywide, can we do it ourselves? Like, add fluoride and what have you to our tap water?

[–] ProfessorPeregrine@reddthat.com 4 points 17 hours ago

Some public water naturally has flouride in it without adding it. IIRC it was high flouride well water in Colorado that revealed its benefits You can also use flouride rinses or just not rinse after brushing. This doesn't help kids though, which as I understand it are the primary beneficiaries of flouride in waterr.

[–] monotremata@lemmy.ca 4 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

As far as I know there's not a way to just add it to the house supply, like they do with water softeners in some places, but you can get drops you can add to an individual glass of water. There are also tablets you can take. What I do at this point is use a fluoride mouthwash in the evening (the purple listerine; you have to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after using it, so the evening is convenient that way) and also get the fluoride treatment at my dental hygienist appointments, along with using a fluoride toothpaste (which you're most likely already using).

It's a hassle, though, especially during the transition. When I moved out here, my teeth got worse in a hurry until I adapted to this new routine.

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 8 points 22 hours ago

Who needs teeth even you have flood insurance.

[–] CptOblivius@lemmy.world 26 points 1 day ago

The three people who still have teeth in Florida are in trouble now.

[–] BoxOfFeet@lemmy.world 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

9/10 Evil dentists approve

[–] njm1314@lemmy.world -1 points 19 hours ago

All dentist are evil though.

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 53 points 1 day ago

The other state is Utah.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 35 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] oz1sej@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

"Sir! The radar! It appears to be - jammed!"

[–] Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee 3 points 20 hours ago

And raspberry... I hate raspberry!

[–] Tja@programming.dev 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

FYI it was a reference to parks and rec, where the local dentist (Jeremy Jamm) tried to prevent Fluorine in water so people had more cavities... because it was good for his business.

His catchphrase was "you've been Jammed".

[–] Lucien@mander.xyz 1 points 19 hours ago

I thought it was a reference to Space Balls

[–] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 45 points 2 days ago (2 children)

How can the bill not say fluoride specifically but mentions "certain additives". Surely it must list what those certain additives are? Odd.

[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 1 points 17 hours ago

Because Republicans like vague language in their bills so the can get away with shit.

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It basically says you can't add anything to water except for "water quality additives" and has a fuzzy definitely of water quality additive.

403.859 Prohibited acts.—The following acts and the causing thereof are prohibited and are violations of this act: (8) The use of any additive in a public water system whichdoes not meet the definition of a water quality additive as defined in s. 403.852(19)

And then 403.852(19) has

“Water quality additive” means any chemical, additive, or substance that is used in a public water system for the purpose of: (a) Meeting or surpassing primary or secondary drinking water standards; (b) Preventing, reducing, or removing contaminants; or (c) Improving water quality.

Bold are the additions. The "primary and secondary drinking water standards" are legally defined terms where the EPA sets limits on maximum allowable amounts of stuff in water.

https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/how-epa-regulates-drinking-water-contaminants-documents

Personally, I would argue that fluoride is added to water for the purpose of "improving water quality" because water that protects people's teeth is higher quality than water that doesn't. If I were someone from a municipality whose job was ensuring water quality, I would read this as still allowing the addition of fluoride. If anyone doesn't like that, let them try to prove in a court that fluoridated water is lower quality.

[–] piecat@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

let them try to prove in a court

I don't think that would help these days

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 6 points 20 hours ago

Do not obey in advance. The only way fascists succeed is by people chosing to appease them.

[–] ryrybang@lemmy.world 182 points 2 days ago (10 children)

Leave Florida if you can. Especially if you have or are expecting children. Moving isn't always possible, but if you live in Florida know that your state is actively trying to hurt you.

[–] wildncrazyguy138@fedia.io 88 points 2 days ago

You know who doesn’t need Fluoride in their drinking water? People with dentures.

Checkmate whipper snappers.

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[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

the state is named after flouride, FLOURIDA

[–] conditional_soup@lemm.ee 4 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

Well, now I know for sure that you're not in that state.

Because they got U out

~~Also, the Spanish named it "Florida", which means "flowered", root word "flor" for "flower". Likewise, Nevada means "covered in snow", root word "nieve" for "snow".~~

[–] jsomae@lemmy.ml 0 points 18 hours ago

I believe that is not the etymology, and also you spelled flouride wrong.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 49 points 2 days ago (8 children)

Yanks love to stereotype Brits as having bad teeth when statically your teeth have more cavities and removals (our dentistry focuses on health over cosmetics). Hopefully shit like this can fully kill that off that stereotype.

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 16 points 1 day ago (2 children)

The UK largely doesn't fluoridate, so this is one of the (few) areas where the US actually does better than the UK. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_by_country

The UK does generally have better tooth health in the grand scheme of things, but it's actually pretty close, and the US is still really high on the list.

https://www.yongeeglintondental.com/blog/healthy-primary-teeth/

Without checking, I suspect the US's slightly higher cavity rate is more down to sugar consumption than received dental care.

[–] Underbroen@feddit.dk 3 points 19 hours ago

Did you read the rest of the Wikipedia article? How is better to add fluoride in the amounts the US does? It says in the Wikipedia article:

Recent studies suggest that water fluoridation, particularly in industrialized countries, may be unnecessary because topical fluorides (such as in toothpaste) are widely used and cavity rates have become low. For this reason, some scientists consider fluoridation to be unethical due to the lack of informed consent. However, a recent study funded by NHS found no significant difference between individuals who receive fluoridated water and those who don't in terms of missing teeth and reducing social inequities.

Also, new research highlights that high levels of fluoride is problematic for pregnant women (it affect cognitive abilities of the unborn child).

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

and also dental care isnt usually covered by most insurance so people try to ignore the problem til its too late.

[–] CalipherJones@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"yes we offer health insurance but fuck your teeth and eyes you poor fuck"

[–] andros_rex@lemmy.world 1 points 17 hours ago

Vision insurance is also completely useless.

“Whoops, your prescription is too strong. We only cover glasses for the mildly blind.”

I stopped signing up for vision insurance when it was cheaper to do some “two for one frames” deal without insurance.

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[–] WhatSay@slrpnk.net 30 points 2 days ago

They are deporting teeth too

[–] Snowpix@lemmy.ca 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As if people's teeth in Florida weren't already bad enough from all the drug abuse.

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

meth mouth. plus meth gators.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 88 points 2 days ago (41 children)

Ban chlorine and chloramine in the water too! The microorganisms will strengthen your immune system. Just like Haiti. :)

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[–] Kcap@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago
[–] 18107@aussie.zone 58 points 2 days ago (3 children)

When are they going to ban dihydrogen monoxide?

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[–] athairmor@lemmy.world 50 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Bring back asbestos, Florida! And leaded gasoline!

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[–] Guidy@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What a stupid and shitty timeline we’re living in. Holy shit.

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