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Resources for Parents

Fluoride for Smiles

Social Media Toolkit

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Fluoride?

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.

Q: Is fluoride safe?

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.

Q: What is water fluoridation?

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. 

Q: Is fluoridated water safe for babies and young children?

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)

Q: Does fluoride prevent cavities?

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.

Q: Does fluoride in drinking water protect only the teeth of children or does it benefit everyone?

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”). 

Q: Do dentists and health experts support fluoride in the water supply?

A: Yes, over 100 credible scientific and consumer groups support community water fluoridation, including: 

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics
  • The American Dental Association
  • The American Medical Association
  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • The World Health Organization

Leading health experts agree: fluoridation is safe and effective.

Videos

Why Fluoride In Your Tap Water Is a Good Thing

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.

Fluoride Really Saved our Teeth

Campaign for Dental Health

1:21 Minutes

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.

Fluoride in the Water Isn’t Going to Hurt You

Healthcare Triage

8:38 Minutes

Aaron Carrol, MD, MS looks at the myths about community water fluoridation (CWF) being circulated on the internet and the extensive evidence behind the use of CWF in the US.

Fluoride in water: an easy way to protect your teeth

Campaign for Dental Health

0:52 Minutes

Pediatrician Geisel Collazo wants families to know that fluoride in water, plus fluoride in toothpaste, is a great way to protect your teeth


Community water fluoridation works.

Campaign for Dental Health

1:05 Minutes

Pediatrician Ben Hoffman talks about the difference between kids’ teeth in cities with and without community water fluoridation.

Share the Water, Share the Love

The Mighty Mouth

2:00 Minutes

Four ways to make it easier to choose water as a healthy drink choice instead of sugary drinks.

How Fluoride Works

Campaign for Dental Health

1:05 Minutes

Fluoride reduces decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Water is “fluoridated” when a public water system adjusts the fluoride to a level known to prevent tooth decay.

Los beneficios de agua del grifo.

Campaign for Dental Health

0:33 Minutes

Pediatra Geisel Collazo: Los beneficios de tomar aqua del grifo sobre tomar bebidas con azúcar.

Infographics

Community Water Fluoridation

CDC Community Water Fluoridation Infographic
Center for Disease Control and Prevention


Water Fluoridation is safe, effective, and saves communities money. Water fluoridation improves oral health and reaches everyone in the community.

Community Water Fluoridation – Brush Up on Oral Health

Why Do Children Need Fluoride?
Office of Head Start – ECLKC

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.

Why Do Children Need Fluoride?

Why Do Children Need Fluoride?
Campaign for Dental Health

This poster developed by the Campaign for Dental Health explores the reasons why children benefit from fluoride and community water fluoridation.

Fluoride: Cavity Fighter

Fluoride: Cavity Fighter
Campaign for Dental Health

This poster developed by the Campaign for Dental Health explores the four ways that children can fight cavities.

Fluorosis Facts: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers

Fluorosis Facts: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers
Campaign for Dental Health


Explains sources of fluoride, dental fluorosis, and gives parents stepwise guidance on preventive oral health care.


How Fluoridation Works

How Fluoridation Works
Campaign for Dental Health

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.


How Fluoride Works

CDC How Fluoride Works Community Water Fluoridation Infographic
Center for Disease Control and Prevention

This resource was developed to by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help communicate the importance of fluoridation.


Oral Health Equity Begins with Community Water Fluoridation

Oral Health Equity Begins with Community Water Fluoridation
Campaign for Dental Health
Oral health equity begins with community water fluoridation. Everyone deserves good health, and good health means good teeth! Water with fluoride protects teeth and helps build healthy communities and healthy families.

Questions About Fluoride

Common Questions About Fluoride: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers
Campaign for Dental Health

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

Common Questions About Fluoride: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers
American Heart Association

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.


Water with Fluoride Builds a Foundation for Healthy Teeth

CDC Water with Fluoride Builds a Foundation for Healthy Teeth
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
This poster was developed to by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help communicate the importance of oral health.

Fluoride Fact Sheet for Consumers

NIH FLUORIDE FACT SHEET FOR CONSUMERS
National Institute of Health

This fact sheet for consumers discusses what fluoride is, what it does and more information.


Water with Fluoride Builds a Foundation for Healthy Teeth

Texas Department of State Health Services
This fact sheet was developed to discuss community water fluoridation in Texas.


Blogs

Campaign for Dental Health 75 years of Fluoride

Campaign for Dental Health

From the Front Line Blog
Brittany Seymour and daughter

American Dental Association

A Mom’s Guide to Fluoride

Mother and Dentist Dr. Brittany Seymour an Assistant Professor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine discusses fluoride.

Family washing dog

Fluoride Exposed

WHAT EVERY MOM OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT FLUORIDE

10 essential fluoride facts for your family.