Fluoride has been added to drinking water in many areas since the mid-20th century, and fluoridated drinking water is generally considered safe and effective in reducing tooth decay. Fluoridation involves adding small amounts of fluoride (typically 0.7 mg/L) to public water supplies to prevent tooth decay. Major health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), support water fluoridation as a public health measure, citing it as having the potential to reduce tooth decay by about 25%. The FDI, the official organization of dentists worldwide, officially recognizes the effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste and actively promotes the use of toothpastes with moderate concentrations of fluoride. Although it may help reduce tooth decay rates in areas with high tooth decay rates, the link between fluoridated water and tooth decay prevention is increasingly being questioned, as tooth decay rates are gradually decreasing worldwide.
What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Added to Water?
Is Fluoride a Natural or Synthetic Compound?
Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water: What Is Safe?
Does Fluoride Have Any Nutritional Benefits?
Comparing Fluoridated Water to Fluoride-Free Water
What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Added to Water?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and many foods. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to erosion caused by acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. This is why fluoride is commonly added to drinking water and used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Water fluoridation began in the United States in the 1940s, after researchers discovered that people in areas with naturally high levels of fluoride in their water had significantly fewer cavities. Fluoride is added to public water supplies as a public health measure to help reduce tooth decay, and benefits everyone in the community, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or access to dental care.
Is Fluoride a Natural or Synthetic Compound?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many sources, including soil, water, and certain foods. Fluoride is often found in nature as part of minerals such as fluorolite (calcium fluoride), which is found in rocks. When water passes over or through these rocks, the fluoride dissolves, causing concentrations in groundwater and surface water to vary. Fluoride naturally leaches from the rocks into groundwater and is also present in surface water. Some foods, such as tea and fish, contain fluoride naturally.
Fluoride can also be produced synthetically for use in dental products and water fluoridation. Fluoride used in water fluoridation programs often comes from synthetic sources. This fluoride comes from industrial processes that produce fertilizers or other chemical reactions that produce fluoride-containing compounds. The most common forms used in water treatment are sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium fluorosilicate (Na₂SiF₆), and fluorosilicate (H₂SiF₆). These are manufactured, but chemically act in the same way as naturally occurring fluoride. Both types help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities, and the fluoridation process is designed to ensure safe and controlled levels in drinking water.
Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water: What Is Safe?
The safe level of fluoride in drinking water is carefully controlled to maximize dental health benefits and minimize risks. In the United States, the optimal recommended level of fluoride in public water systems is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm), according to the U.S. Public Health Service. The World Health Organization advises that fluoride levels in drinking water should be between 0.5 and 1.5 mg/L, depending on local climate and other factors. These guidelines aim to balance the benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay with the need to avoid excessive exposure. Water fluoridation is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay while minimizing the risk of dental fluorosis (white spots on teeth) and other adverse effects. Public water systems regularly monitor fluoride levels to ensure they are within safe limits. If fluoride levels exceed natural safe levels, the water company can adjust the concentration to meet health standards or provide an alternative water source.
Does Fluoride Have Any Nutritional Benefits?
Fluoride is beneficial for dental health, but it is not a nutrient in the traditional sense. Fluoride is not considered an essential nutrient, so the human body does not need fluoride for basic biological functions like vitamins or minerals. The human body does not need fluoride for survival, but when consumed in adequate amounts, it provides certain health benefits related to dental health. Unlike essential nutrients such as calcium or vitamin D, which are required for various bodily functions, fluoride’s role is more specialized and limited to dental care. The primary benefit of fluoride is its ability to strengthen tooth enamel. It remineralizes the teeth, making them more resistant to acids produced by bacteria that cause tooth decay. This is why fluoride is included in drinking water, toothpaste, and other dental products. Studies have shown that fluoride, especially in community water fluoridation programs, significantly reduces the incidence of tooth decay in both children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers fluoridated water one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century for its role in reducing tooth decay.
Comparing Fluoridated Water to Fluoride-Free Water
The debate over fluoridated vs. non-fluoridated water involves a variety of health, dental, and ethical considerations. Fluoridated water is known to reduce tooth decay by about 25% in children and adults. It helps remineralize tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay. Communities that use fluoridated water benefit from lower tooth decay rates and lower dental costs. This is especially important for low-income populations who have limited access to dental care. The safety of fluoridated water has been extensively studied, and public health authorities such as the CDC, WHO, and ADA have confirmed that fluoridated water is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay at the recommended level of 0.7 mg/L.
Without fluoride in their water, people are more likely to develop tooth decay, and in areas without fluoride, they must rely more on personal dental care products such as fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash or on professional fluoride treatments from a dentist. This is inconvenient and can be more expensive. Non-fluoridated water may not be as much of an issue for people who have good access to dental care and products containing fluoride. However, fluoridated water provides an important preventive measure in areas where dental care is limited. In conclusion, fluoridated water provides significant dental health benefits, especially in reducing caries, whereas unfluoridated water may increase caries rates unless supplemented with other sources of fluoride.
source:
1. What is Fluoride? Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and Safety- Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-fluoride.
2. Is fluoride in drinking water safe? Some cities are banning fluoride, so here's what you need to know.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fluoride-safe-drinking-water-cities-ban-rcna143605.
3. Is fluoridated drinking water safe?
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/fluoridated-drinking-water/.
4. Four Myths About Water Fluoridation and Why They're Dispelled.
https://theconversation.com/four-myths-about-water-fluoridation-and-why-theyre-wrong-80669.
5. Fluoride-Free Water vs. Fluoride-Added Water: Which Is Your Choice?
https://aquapap.com/fluoride-free-water-vs-fluoridated-water-whats-your-choice/.