Fluoride is a natural mineral found in small amounts in water and certain foods, but it is commonly added to tap water in the United States in a greater concentration because it has been proven to reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children and adults. It diminishes the ability of oral bacteria to generate acids which damage enamel, and also helps remineralizes weakened areas of teeth that are susceptible to decay.

However, the policy of adding fluoride to municipal water supplies has always been viewed with a skeptical eye by a significant number of people who believe it could be dangerous. So is fluoridation safe? To answer that question, a bit of history is in order.

The Genesis of Municipal Water Fluoridation

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first U.S. city to add fluoride to its water supply. Soon afterward, the city reported a dramatic decrease in tooth decay, prompting cities across the country to begin fluoridating their own water. By 1960, approximately 41 million Americans were drinking fluoridated tap water. Today, about 75% of the U.S. population has access to optimally fluoridated water. Before cities began fortifying their water supply with fluoride, children had three times as many cavities. Because it has contributed to the dramatic decline in tooth decay since the 1960s, the CDC added community water fluoridation to the top ten list of 20th century public health achievements!

A Modern Example of Fluoridation’s Effects

The city of Calgary, Canada stopped adding fluoride to their water in 2011. Researchers compared second graders in both Calgary and Edmonton, Canada (a city with uninterrupted fluoridated water since 1967) and found that the Edmonton children with access to fluoridated water experienced less tooth decay than neighboring children in Calgary.

Skepticism of Municipal Water Fluoridation

Some opponents of fluoridated tap water believe the government should not be involved in public health, and are therefore opposed to it in principle. Others mistakenly believe that fluoride has never been proven to be safe even at the current recommended levels, and is thus a potential danger to public health. And in the early years of the Cold War, a minority believed that fluoride was a Communist conspiracy intended to harm Americans and the nation as a whole.

Safety of Fluoride

According to years of research, fluoride is safe for kids and adults at the levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service (0.7 milligrams per liter of water). This amount effectively reduces the incidence of decay and minimizes the risk of fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that can occur if children consume excessive fluoride before their teeth emerge. To help your child avoid this condition, teach them to not swallow their toothpaste.

Still Have Concerns?

The scientific consensus remains that fluoride is effective at preventing cavities. Today, more than 100 health organizations around the world recognize the dental health benefits of community water fluoridation. But many people, professional and layman, still question whether it should be added to our water supplies. What do you think?