What is community water fluoridation?
Community water fluoridation is the adjustment of the fluoride concentration in the community water supply to a level beneficial to reduce tooth decay and promote good oral health. The mineral fluoride is essential for strong healthy teeth that resist decay. Almost all waters contain some quantity of naturally occurring fluoride, but usually at levels insufficient to prevent decay. The optimum concentration of fluoride in water has been determined to be between 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) depending on the air temperature in a given region. Given the dramatic decline in tooth decay during the past 60 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named water fluoridation one of Ten Great Public Health Interventions of the 20th Century. Community water fluoridation has been recommended by the past five United States Surgeon General’s. More information can be found on our Benefits page.
