Fluoride and dental health
Many oral care products like toothpaste and mouthwash have fluoride in them to help prevent cavities. But did you know that public tap water in many cities and towns also contains fluoride?
Some public water systems have fluoride in them naturally. If a water system does not have enough natural fluoride to fight cavities, fluoride can be added to the public water supply. This is called water fluoridation.
How does fluoride prevent cavities?
Bacteria that live on your teeth turn the sugar in everything you eat or drink into acid. This acid attacks the outer tooth layer (enamel), creating cavities. Cavities can be painful, cause tooth loss, and allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread infection to your brain and other parts of the body. Fluoride hardens tooth enamel to help prevent cavities. It can even repair enamel in a cavity’s early stages.
Does water fluoridation really work?
Even when toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride are used, fluoridated water reduces cavities by around 25% in children and adults. In communities that stop their water fluoridation program, cavity rates increase, especially among children. Anyone, regardless of their age or income, can increase their protection from cavities by drinking public tap water that is fluoridated.
Is water fluoridation safe?
Communities across the country have been fluoridating public water systems for over 80 years. Many health effects have been studied, and research has not found health problems associated with water fluoridated at the suggested level. Adding fluoride to water is similar to adding minerals or vitamins to other foods and beverages. For example, iodine is added to salt, vitamin D is in milk, and vitamin C levels are boosted in some orange juice brands.
What do I need to know about fluoride and dental health?
Cavities might not seem like a serious problem, but they can be painful. When left untreated, cavities can cause tooth loss and infections. Water fluoridation is an easy and affordable way to protect entire communities from cavities.
To find out if your community water supply has fluoride, go to My Water’s Fluoride on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
