Fluoridation
In 2000, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 66% of residents using community water systems had access to fluoridated tap water.
Why fluoridate the water?
North American water systems have added fluoride, a naturally occurring element, to their water supplies since 1945 to help prevent tooth decay. Since that time, child cavity rates have been reduced by 20-40% where fluoridation has been implemented.
The fluoridation of drinking water is endorsed by the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, and the US Public Health Service.
The CDC proclaimed fluoridation to be one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the past century.
- As part of its “Healthy People 2010” campaign, the US Department of Health and Human Services set a goal of increasing the proportion of the American population served by community water systems with optimally fluoridated water to 75% by the year 2010.
What is water fluoridation? How does it prevent tooth decay?
- Fluoride is a naturally occurring ion that is present in water.
- Fluoride's effect is topical. It keeps the tooth enamel strong by preventing the loss of important minerals.
Is fluoridation safe?
- Public health institutions like CDC and ADA conclude that extensive research conducted over the past 50 years has demonstrated that fluoridation of public water supplies is a safe and effective way to reduce the incidence of tooth decay in a community.
- A detailed review by the National Research Council in 1993 found no links between low-level fluoride ingestion and occurrences of cancer, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, immunological disorders, reproductive effects, genetic disorders, or bone fractures.
- While exposure to high levels of fluoride over a long time can cause dental fluorosis, a condition that leads to mottled tooth enamel, discoloration, and in some cases erosion the gum line, the fluoride content in your drinking water is limited under federal law and the levels are very low.
- In 2011, the US Department of Health and Human Services and USEPA announced steps to ensure that standards and guidelines on fluoride in drinking water continue to provide maximum protection to support good dental health, especially in children. HHS proposed that the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water can be set at the lowest end of the current optimal range to prevent tooth decay, and EPA initiated a review of the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water.
Fluoridated water and baby formula
An October 2010 article in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that young children who consume substantial amounts of fluoride through infant formula and other beverages mixed with fluoridated water or by swallowing fluoride toothpaste have an increased chance of developing mild enamel fluorosis, which usually appears as barely noticeable faint white lines or streaks on tooth enamel. However, the report stated that "no general recommendations to avoid use of fluoridated water in reconstituting infant formula are warranted."
ADA reports that children can continue using fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste because fluoride has been proven to prevent tooth decay, and mild fluorosis does not negatively affect dental health or quality of life.
More information is available here: http://www.ada.org/4052.aspx
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also provides information on the subject of fluoridated water and infant formula here:
www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm