What is Fluoride and Why is it in my Water?

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring in many foods and water. In the world of dentistry, fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay, reversing early decay and aiding in the remineralization of tooth enamel (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Another important term is enamel, the protective outer coating of the tooth. Every day, enamel gains and loses minerals. Minerals are lost when bacteria, plaque, and sugars attack the teeth and enamel. Important minerals like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are gained when food and water is consumed. Tooth decay is the direct result of too much demineralization without adequate remineralization.

There are many ways in which fluoride can be obtained outside of the food and diet. This includes dentist visits, special toothpastes, mouthwashes, and more. During a dental visit, dentists are likely to apply a fluoride coating to the teeth, likely in the form of a foam, varnish, or gel. In addition to this, specialty toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other solutions that have increased fluoride content can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Is Fluoride Important Across All Ages?

While useful across all ages, fluoride is most important during the ages of 6 to 16 as this is a key period of tooth development and growth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends limited fluoride use for children under the age of 6, spitting out mouthwash as opposed to swallowing it, and the use of fluoride toothpaste with each brush (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). In addition to children, adults can greatly benefit from fluoride, specifically those with existing dental conditions and issues. This includes dry mouth, gum disease, tooth decay, crowns, other removable dental devices, and more.

Why is Fluoride in Water?

In the early 20th century, dental decay and cavities were very prevalent and costly, costing high levels of suffering for much of the U.S. population. Tooth loss was common in children, with toothaches and abscesses common and resulting in many Americans with fewer or no teeth (Coulson, 2024). As time and money were devoted to this issue, researchers began to discover that cities and areas with fluoride already in the water had lower rates of cavities and dental decay when compared to areas without fluoride. Research was further conducted to determine the appropriate amount of fluoride in the water, as too much or too little can yield their own unique dental issues. The current recommended amount of fluoride in community water fluoridation is 0.7 parts per million (Coulson, 2024).

With there being access to fluoride via mouthwashes and toothpastes, many have questioned whether fluoride in water is still necessary or not. The general public health answer is that by adding it to the water supply, it is available to everyone regardless of access to dental care or their ability to purchase these oral care products. A trial in Calgary where their fluoridation program was discontinued in 2011 showed that over a short time, there was a dramatic increase in the number of cavities in kids with those requiring IV antibiotics or needing operative dental care under general anesthesia increasing (Coulson, 2024).

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, February 9). Fluoride: Uses, Benefits & Side Effects. Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11195-fluoride

Coulson, M. (2024, November 26). Why Is Fluoride in Our Water? | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/why-is-fluoride-in-our-water

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board