Number 28 August 2021 Water Fluoridation Facts What is fluoride? Where can fluoridation occur? Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in our Fluoridation can occur in public, private, water, air, food and soil. At low and community water supplies and/or wells. concentrations, fluoride in drinking water prevents dental cavities and improves oral Water suppliers must test fluoride levels in health. water. All water suppliers should make the test results available to users and the public. Fluoride is added to water in a process If you have a private/domestic well, you called water fluoridation. Natural fluoride should do a comprehensive chemical levels in the water supply are supplemented analysis that includes fluoride testing. to an amount that will help protect against tooth decay. What are the benefits of water fluoridation? In Canada, the recommended amount of Fluoride levels in Canadian drinking water fluoride is 0.7 mg/L in drinking water for have been adjusted for the past 70 years. communities that wish to add fluoride to Decades of extensive research show that their water supply. Reliable equipment and water fluoridation is a safe, effective and careful monitoring help maintain these low-cost way to improve oral health for fluoride levels. The maximum acceptable everyone. concentration (MAC) in the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality is 1.5 Studies show that children who drink mg/L. Whether naturally occurring or added fluoridated water can expect up to 35 during the water treatment process, fluoride percent less tooth decay than those who levels should never exceed this level. drink non-fluoridated water. By using fluoridated water, children develop strong Fewer than 4 percent of the population of teeth. As adults, they will have fewer B.C. has access to fluoridated water supply cavities or missing teeth. Adults who drink through their community. fluoridated water can also expect to have less tooth decay or other cavity-related oral How does fluoride prevent tooth health problems. decay? Fluoride protects teeth when they first Is fluoridation safe? appear and as they develop over time. Yes. Fluoride has been studied thoroughly Fluoride bonds with the enamel or surface of as a public health measure. It is safe in low teeth, making them more resistant to doses. bacteria and decay. It also helps to repair the earliest stages of tooth decay. Since the 1940s, scientific studies have shown that the use of fluoride for oral health has had no harmful effects. Leading experts have conducted extensive Should water supplies be reviews on water fluoridation. They found fluoridated? no connection between fluoridation and Water fluoridation plays a key role in oral cancer. There is no evidence that suggests health. Water fluoridation requires a exposure to fluoride in drinking water at community vote of more than 50 percent to concentrations below the MAC causes any be installed or removed. adverse health effects, reproductive issues or developmental issues. However, as with any Some communities have stopped water naturally occurring element, high fluoridation due to health concerns. concentrations may be bad for your health. However, it is important to note that decades of research have found fluoridated water to Fluoride is recommended to prevent tooth be safe. Communities that stopped decay and to improve oral health. Water fluoridation have seen increased rates of fluoridation is endorsed as a valuable and tooth decay compared to communities that beneficial public health measure by: continue to use fluoridation. Health Canada For More Information The Canadian Dental Association For more information on water fluoridation, The Canadian Medical Association please contact your dentist or dental The Canadian Pediatric Society hygienist, the dental program at your local public health unit, or the British Columbia The Canadian Public Health Association Dental Association at www.bcdental.org. The World Health Organization For more HealthLinkBC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles or your local public health unit. For non-emergency health information and advice in B.C. visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 (toll- free). For the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. .