Fluoride: a safe and effective way to protect teeth from tooth decay

Don't fall prey to misinformation about fluoride

5 minute read

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water and some foods, although in varying concentrations. It is released during natural geologic processes by rocks into the soil, water, and air. While many substances on Earth we encounter contain fluoride, research many decades ago determined that augmenting our exposure with additional fluoride can aid in dental health.

Fluoridation is the process of determining the fluoride content of water, and adding fluoride so that it meets established regulatory recommendations and guidelines. Fluoride is a safe way to improve dental health; it helps strengthen the tooth’s surface or enamel, which helps to protect the tooth and prevent decay caused by bacteria.

In addition to drinking water, fluoride is often found in the following sources:

• dental products (e.g., toothpaste, mouth wash)

• beverages and food processed using fluoridated water

• dietary supplements, such as multivitamins

• some medications, including antifungal voriconazole

Fluoride can be found in trace amounts in most foods. According to the CDC, more than three-quarters of an individual’s typical fluoride intake comes from drinking water and processed beverages (sodas, teas, etc.).

Community water fluoridation has been used in the United States for over 75 years, and it has been credited with massive improvement in dental health outcomes. On average, young children in areas with fluoridated water have two fewer decayed teeth than children of a similar age in areas without fluoridated water.

Recent studies have added to the evidence that fluoridation protects against tooth decay due to sugar consumption among children and that cessation of community water fluoridation was associated with greater tooth decay for children compared to those in communities that continued fluoridation.

In areas of England, a country where community water fluoridation is much less common, children were found to have less tooth decay and fewer hospital admissions for tooth extractions if they lived in an area with community water fluoridation. Systematic reviews have demonstrated similar effectiveness of fluoridation among adults, resulting in a roughly 25 percent reduction in tooth decay.

As of a most recent estimate in 2018, 63% of the US population receives fluoridated water at a community level. The resultant declines of cavities in the U.S. since the widespread implementation of fluoridation have contributed to its designation per the CDC as one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. The vast majority of medical organizations recommend the use of water fluoridation, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association, and the U.S. Public Health Service.

There are many rampant myths and unsubstantiated claims surrounding fluoridation.

Let’s debunk some of the common ones!