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Browse facts, clinical guidelines and FAQ's regarding fluoride in water and read about the ADA's advocacy for the fluoridation of water in public water supplies.

Fluoride in waterFacts, resources and advocacy for fluoridation as a proven way to prevent tooth decay. Interested in championing water fluoridation?Become a Fluoride Ambassador Promote Public Health: Maintain communities accessing optimally fluoridated water at 72.3% while working towards the Healthy People 2030 goal of 77.1% of the U.S. population. Engage with Your Community: Provide strategic resources and toolkits for dental leaders to become advocates within their communities. Be a Trusted Voice: Provide up-to-date information about community water fluoridation to dental leaders nationally. Contact us Fluoride in the newsADA Statement on FDA Action to Remove Ingestible Fluoride Prescription Drug Products Statement from the ADA on FDA Action to Remove Ingestible Fluoride Prescription Drug Products (Press Release) ADA Fluoride Supplements Overview Download the ADA Fluoride Supplements Overview (PDF) ADA Comment on Elimination of CDC Division of Oral Health CDC’s Division of Oral Health eliminated amid federal restructuring (ADA News Article) ADA Response to Utah Fluoridation Ban Community Water Fluoridation Prevents Painful Dental Disease (Press Release) RFK Jr. to tell CDC to change fluoride guidelines (ADA News Article) ADA Response to the EPA Lawsuit ADA files amicus brief in support of EPA appeal of fluoride ruling. (PDF) Community Water Fluoridation at Optimal Levels is Safe and Effective (Press Release) Judge orders EPA to address impacts of fluoride in drinking water (ADA News Article) ADA Reply to NTP Report My View: We should continue to support Community Water Fluoridation (ADA News Article) Caution Needed in Interpreting the Evidence Base on Fluoride and IQ (Editorial) For more recent news on Fluoridation, view further recent fluoridation issues here. Guide: Fluoridation FactsThe premier ADA guide to fluoridation, available in print and electronic formats. Clinical guidelinesThe latest evidence-based guidelines on topical fluoride products, toothpastes and more.Guideline Fluoridation FAQScience-based answers to common questions about fluoride in water.FAQ More about fluoridation and oral health Why is fluoride in water? Fluoride is added to water to help prevent tooth decay. Many communities add fluoride to their water supply for five key reasons: It prevents tooth decay. Fluoride in water is the most efficient way to prevent cavities, one of the most common childhood diseases. An estimated 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness. Community water fluoridation is so effective at preventing tooth decay that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named it one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. It protects all ages against cavities. Studies show that fluoride in community water systems prevents at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults, even with widespread public access to fluoride from other sources such as fluoride toothpaste. It’s safe and effective. For more than 75 years, the best scientific evidence has consistently shown that fluoridation is safe and effective. It has been endorsed by numerous U.S. Surgeons General. More than 100 health organizations have joined the ADA in recognizing the health benefits of water fluoridation for preventing tooth decay, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It saves money. The average lifetime cost per person to fluoridate a water supply is less than the cost of just one dental filling. For most municipalities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs. It’s natural. Fluoride is naturally present in groundwater and the oceans. Water fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride to a recommended level for preventing tooth decay. It’s similar to fortifying other foods and beverages — for example, fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D, orange juice with calcium and bread with folic acid. ADA policy on fluoridation The American Dental Association unreservedly endorses the fluoridation of community water supplies as safe, effective and necessary in preventing tooth decay. View our fluoridation policy here. ADA advocacy for fluoridation The ADA actively advocates for the fluoridation of public water supplies as an effective way to prevent tooth decay and promote oral health. Learn more about our fluoridation advocacy efforts here.

Fluoridation in Water