Pediatrician Maria Marquez knows from both professional and personal experience how much difference water with fluoride means to the health of children’s teeth. That’s why she shared her personal story with us in this new video.
We’ve developed a social media campaign to help build public support for water fluoridation. Download your favorite ads and spread the word to your circle of friends and colleagues.
A: “Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that can help prevent dental decay” (ADA, “2018 Fluoridation Facts,” p. 13).
Water is “fluoridated” when a public water system adjusts the fluoride to an optimal level that is found to prevent tooth decay.
A: Yes, it has been proven that fluoride additives are safe when added to the community water system in the right amounts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends that the optimal level of fluoride in public water systems should be 0.7milligrams per liter (mg/L) of water.
A: Water fluoridation is the simple adjustment of existing fluoride in water to a level that helps prevent dental decay. Local water systems typically choose from one of three forms of fluoride to engage in fluoridation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides detailed information on these types of fluoride.
A: The ADA states that doctors “can suggest the continued use of powdered or liquid concentrate infant formulas reconstituted with optimally fluoridated drinking water.” Parents should discuss any questions they may have with their health care providers.
A 2010 study examined the issue of fluorosis and infant formula, and reached the conclusion that “no general recommendations to avoid use of fluoridated water in reconstituting infant formula are warranted.” The researchers examined the condition’s impact on children and concluded that “the effect of mild fluorosis was not adverse and could even be favorable.” (Campaign for Dental Health)
A: Yes, in the right amount, it has been proven to prevent cavities. Fluoride helps prevent decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugar in the mouth.
A: Fluoridation plays a protective role against dental decay throughout life, benefitting both children and adults. In fact, inadequate exposure to fluoride places children and adults in the high-risk category for dental decay.
Fluoride has both a systemic and topical effect and is beneficial to adults in two ways. The first is through the remineralization process in enamel, making the enamel’s surface more resistant to acid attacks. Additionally, the presence of systemic fluoride in saliva provides a reservoir of fluoride ions that can be incorporated into the tooth surface to prevent decay (ADA, “2021 Fluoridation Facts”).
A: Yes, over 100 credible scientific and consumer groups support community water fluoridation, including:
Leading health experts agree: fluoridation is safe and effective.
American Dental Association
3:00 Minutes
Find out why adding fluoride to your community water systems is safe, natural and effective at preventing 25% of cavities.
Campaign for Dental Health
1:21 Minutes
Healthcare Triage
8:38 Minutes
0:52 Minutes
Campaign for Dental Health
1:05 Minutes
The Mighty Mouth
2:00 Minutes
How Fluoride Works
Campaign for Dental Health
1:05 Minutes
0:33 Minutes
Water Fluoridation is safe, effective, and saves communities money. Water fluoridation improves oral health and reaches everyone in the community.
This issue of Brush Up on Oral Health talks about why community water fluoridation is important. It offers tips for Head Start staff to help parents choose fluoridated tap (faucet) water for their family where it is available. It also gives ideas for making home tap water friendly for children.
Explore how to help Head Start programs support the use of fluoride for children and pregnant women. Discover how people receive fluoride, tips for working with families, and program policies and procedures.
Explains sources of fluoride, dental fluorosis, and gives parents stepwise guidance on preventive oral health care.
The Campaign for Dental Health (CDH) is happy to announce that the How Fluoridation Works poster and graphic have been updated with new images and are available in both Spanish and English! These resources complement the How Fluoride Works video.
This resource was developed to by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help communicate the importance of fluoridation.
Questions About Fluoride
Parents have questions, and we have answers. The Campaign for Dental Health has new, simpler versions of two of our handouts for parents and caregivers, in both Spanish and English.
Sip Smarter
Unless you are a true water lover, you may be getting some extra, unneeded calories through sweetened soft drinks, sodas, iced tea, coffee, juice, and energy and sports drinks. In fact, sugary drinks are the number one source of added sugars in our diet. Replace sweetened drinks to cut back on added sugars and empty calories.
Fluoride Fact Sheet for Consumers
This fact sheet for consumers discusses what fluoride is, what it does and more information.
Mother and Dentist Dr. Brittany Seymour an Assistant Professor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine discusses fluoride.
10 essential fluoride facts for your family.