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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.

Fluoridation in Water | American Dental Association Skip to main content Advertisement Renew SmileCon Store Join Login Why Join Education Find a Program Testing Account DENTPIN Volunteer Continuing Education Advocacy Issues ADPAC Publications ADA News CDT Coding PracticeUpdate JADA JADA Foundational Science ADA Store Products Dental Practice Success New Dentist News Tooth Talk New Dentist Now Resources Licensure Practice Research Students Careers ADA Library and Archives Oral Health Topics Community Initiatives Commissions Get Involved Join Now Login Search ClearSearchLoading Fluoride in waterFacts, resources and advocacy for fluoridation as a proven way to prevent tooth decay. Guide: Fluoridation FactsThe premier ADA guide to fluoridation, available in print and electronic formats. Fluoridation ResourcesVideos, articles and public policy statements on fluoridation and oral health.Guide 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 Recent fluoride issuesFacts on new fluoridation systems, overall health effects and more. More about fluoridation and oral health 5 ways that fluoridation helps communities 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. 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