Is Fluoride in Water Bad for You?

Community water fluoridation is the process of adding fluoride to the public water system to prevent or reverse tooth decay.

In general, research has shown that fluoride in water is good for oral health. It also helps protect overall health because, although cavities begin at the tooth enamel, they may lead to more serious impacts throughout the body. While some may have concerns about fluoridated water, most potential negative impacts would typically occur in cases of long-term, excessive consumption, like children ingesting toothpaste.

It’s important to understand the facts about fluoridation. Here’s what to know about fluoride in water, including your options for filtration solutions.

The Health Effects of Fluoride

Experts have rigorously studied community water fluoridation. Several public health institutions — including Health Canada, the American Dental Association and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — support this effort across North America.

The potential health benefits of fluoride include:

Oral Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by about 25% in both children and adults.

When you eat carbohydrates, bacteria in your mouth convert them into acids capable of dissolving holes through tooth enamel and creating cavities. Fluoride helps prevent this dental decay by making enamel more resistant to acid. In children under six years old, fluoride may even integrate into the teeth during growth, resulting in better oral health throughout life.

Overall Health

Fluoridation in the public water supply prevents general health concerns. This is because tooth decay and cavities can lead to problems with:

• Eating
• Drinking
• Speaking

In some cases, untreated cavities can also cause infections that spread throughout the body and have potentially serious consequences.

Bonus: Cost Savings

Fluoride also leads to potential cost savings for community systems and communities. Preventing tooth decay reduces the cost of dental treatment, insurance utilization and more — which, in turn, supports the local and general economy.

For example, the CDC estimates that water fluoridation saves an average of $32 per person every year. Meanwhile, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada say that every $1 invested in community water fluoridation can save up to $93 per person annually.

Questions About Fluoridation Impacts

That said, some may still have concerns about drinking water fluoridation.

The most common concern is dental fluorosis, which occurs when children drink fluoridated water while their teeth are still forming. The resulting discoloration is generally very mild and doesn’t impact dental health. Severe cases can occur but are rare.

Other potential but rare risks of excessive fluoride consumption include skeletal fluorosis, thyroid issues and neurological problems. However, recent research reviews show that many significant concerns — for example, cancers such as osteosarcoma — have not been proven. After careful reassessment, numerous organizations have found no clear connections between fluoride and cancer.

To help combat overconsumption risks and related concerns, public health organizations set fluoride limits. For example, according to the CDC, guidance on community water fluoridation is based on the optimal fluoride level to prevent tooth decay while also reducing the risk of dental fluorosis.

Your Guide to Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral compound derived from the chemical element fluorine. It’s the 13th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and is released from rocks, ending up in food and water.

However, the average naturally occurring fluoride concentration in water is only about 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L), although levels differ between locations. As such, while you likely already get fluoride in your diet, it may not be enough to prevent tooth decay. This is part of what led researchers to begin adding fluoride to community water supplies as early as 1945.

Today, fluoridation is not a country-wide requirement in the U.S. or Canada. Instead, local governments make this decision for their community water supply, relying on concentration recommendations from public health organizations across North America.

For example, according to the CDC, the recommended fluoride level in drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter. Health Canada recommends the same amount, determining this to be the optimal level that considers intake from other sources, including fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse.

Because not all fluoride comes from synthetic sources, public health systems monitor total concentrations in drinking water when determining whether a water source is aligned with established guidelines. These are typically based on drinking water standards like the EPA’s two noteworthy limits:

• Primary limit: The EPA states that the maximum amount of fluoride allowable in public water sources is 4.0 mg/L.
• Secondary standard: This limit — 2.0 mg/L — is specifically intended to help protect young children from dental fluorosis.

Water Filtration for Fluoride

Although current science demonstrates that fluoride in drinking water has many potential benefits and very few significant health concerns, some people may still prefer to remove this mineral from their water supply.

First, you should find out how much fluoride is present in your drinking water. If you live in the U.S., you can start by using this CDC fluoride tool, which will show fluoridation information specific to your state, county and water system.

For a more specific look at your water quality, you’ll need an in-home water test and consultation. A certified lab can perform this test for you. If you have this done through Culligan’s IL EPA-certified lab, your local Culligan water expert can then help you decide whether fluoride removal is necessary.

If you want to move forward with water filtation, the best choice is a reverse osmosis water filter. With multiple filtration stages, long-lasting filters and available smart features, reverse osmosis systems can help you manage fluoride concentrations. Culligan’s most advanced systems also target more than 90 contaminants, from lead and arsenic to viruses and bacteria — not to mention newer issues like forever chemicals and microplastics.*

Learn more about common water problems.

Taking Care of Your Water

Thanks to careful research and significant public health advancements, tap water can be a source of fluoride that can rebuild tooth enamel, prevent cavities and support overall well-being.

However, if you’d prefer to reduce both natural and added fluoride in your water supply, reverse osmosis systems are an effective, comprehensive filtration solution.

Start by learning more about your water quality and content. Schedule your free water test and consultation today.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.