Why do they put fluoride in drinking water

As a result, Cochrane found insufficient information available to determine if water fluoridation had an impact in an environment where fluoride products such as toothpaste are now widely used. While RCTs are a preferred study design for studies comparing different clinical treatments among individual patients, this research design is often not feasible for interventions that occur on a community level, like community water fluoridation.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Community Water Fluoridation. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. What is community water fluoridation?

Does my public water system add fluoride to the water? If I am drinking water with fluoride, why do I also need to brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride?

Given that we get fluoride from other sources, should communities still fluoridate water to prevent tooth decay?

Has the safety of community water fluoridation been evaluated? Are there any harmful health effects due to community water fluoridation? Will using a home water filtration system take the fluoride out of my home's water?

Will boiling or freezing reduce the fluoride level in water? The first substantive UK scheme was established in Birmingham in Around 5. This means fluoride has been added to bring it up to around 1mg of fluoride per litre of water, which is a level found to reduce tooth decay levels. The decision about whether to add fluoride to the water supply is made by individual local authorities. Areas where water fluoridation schemes are currently in place include parts of:.

In some parts of the country, such as parts of the North East and Midlands, the public water supply naturally contains a level of fluoride that's similar to that seen in schemes. Some private water supplies contain more than this amount. Your local water supplier should be able to tell you how much fluoride is in your water supply and whether any is added.

Most companies have an online facility where you can use your postcode to check the water in your area. Over the past 50 years, there have been several reviews of the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation schemes.

Overall, these reviews found that water fluoridation appears to contribute to reduced tooth decay levels and doesn't seem to be associated with any significant health risks.

There have been some concerns that fluoride may be linked to a variety of health conditions. Reviews of the risks have so far found no convincing evidence to support these concerns. However, a condition called dental fluorosis can sometimes occur if a child's teeth are exposed to too much fluoride when they're developing. Read more about looking after children's teeth and looking after your baby's teeth. Fluoride in water.

Facts, resources and advocacy for fluoridation as a proven way to prevent tooth decay. Guide: Fluoridation Facts. The premier ADA guide to fluoridation, available in print and electronic formats. Fluoridation Resources. Videos, articles and public policy statements on fluoridation and oral health.

Clinical guidelines. The latest evidence-based guidelines on topical fluoride products, toothpastes and more. An assessment of bone fluoride and osteosarcoma. J Dent Res. Levy M, Leclerc BS. Fluoride in drinking water and osteosarcoma incidence rates in the continental United States among children and adolescents.

Cancer Epidemiol. Systematic review of water fluoridation. Full report available online at: www. Accessed May 20, National Cancer Institute.

Fluoridated Water. National Research Council. Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride. National Toxicology Program. US Public Health Service recommendation for fluoride concentration in drinking water for the prevention of dental caries. Public Health Rep. United States Public Health Service. Review of Fluoride: Benefits and Risks. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.

Download this topic [PDF]. Water Fluoridation and Cancer Risk Many decades after fluoride was first added to drinking water in some parts of the United States, there is still controversy about the possible health effects of drinking water fluoridation.

What is fluoride? How are people exposed to fluoride? Fluoride in drinking water Water fluoridation began in some parts of the United States in , after scientists noted that people living in areas with higher water fluoride levels had fewer cavities. How is fluoride in drinking water regulated? Does fluoride cause cancer? What have studies found? Assessments by expert groups Small studies by themselves might not provide the answers, but taken as a whole they tend to have more weight.

More recent research Several studies looking at a possible link between water fluoridation and cancer have been published in recent years. Can you reduce your fluoride exposure? Know the level of fluoride in your drinking water. If your drinking water comes from a public source, you can find out about the levels of fluoride in your drinking water by contacting your local community water system.

People who get their drinking water from a private source such as a well can have the fluoride levels tested by a reputable laboratory.

Each system is also required to provide its customers with an annual report on water quality known as a Consumer Confidence Report.