SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation late Thursday that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the mineral to their water systems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear. Utah lawmakers who pushed for a ban said putting fluoride in water is too expensive. Lawmakers in other states including Florida, Ohio and South Carolina, also have proposed restricting fluoride in public water.
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