Fluoride and Water Fluoridation | Texas DSHS
Learn more about fluoride and community water fluoridation to check if your drinking water is at a safe level to avoid tooth decay.
· archived 5/18/2026, 12:39:27 AMscreenshotcached html Fluoride and Water Fluoridation | Texas DSHS Skip to main content ENGList additional actionsES Language EnglishList additional actionsEspañol Top Menu Programs A-Z Index News & Alerts Contact Us Click here to visit facebook Click here to visit twitter Click here to visit instagram Click here to visit website Enter your search term Click here to search term Enter your search termEnter your search term Click here to search term Services Services Vital Statistics Birth Records Death Records Marriage & Divorce Records Laboratory Services Menu of Services Programs & Laboratories Local Health Department Labs Specimen Collection Guidelines Regional & Local Health Public Health Regions Texas Border Health Texas Center for Infectious Disease Public Health Nursing Research & Funding Resources Funding Alerts Grant Writing Resources Grants Database Events & Training Library Services How to Borrow Materials Audiovisual Library View all Services 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additional actionsEspañol Click here to visit facebook Click here to visit twitter Click here to visit instagram Click here to visit website Home Dental Health Fluoride and Water Fluoridation main content Fluoride and Water Fluoridation Community water fluoridation is safe and the most cost-effective way to deliver fluoride to everyone. On average, it costs only $0.64 per person to fluoridate water for a year. For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation yields $38 savings in dental treatment costs (Fluoridation Facts American Dental Association [ADA]). Community water fluoridation is recommended by nearly all public health, medical, and dental organizations. To know your water system's fluoridation status go to the CDC My Water's Fluoride webpage. Community water fluoridation is one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.–Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (2014-2017, 2021-Present) Fluoridation in Texas Approximately 105 public water systems, serving 9.7 million people, adjust the fluoride level in the drinking water. Some areas of the state have naturally occurring fluoride. A little over 19.6 million people (72% of the population) drink adjusted or naturally occurring fluoride. In 1946, the City of Marshall became the first city in Texas and one of the first three cities in the United States to implement community water fluoridation. For over 70 years, the addition of fluoride to the drinking water has benefited over 66% of the U.S. population. Related Resources CDC Website on Community Water Fluoridation ADA Fluoridation Information Campaign for Dental Health American Fluoridation Society Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Former Chief Dental Officers' Statement of Support of Community Water Fluoridation (2020) Frequently Asked Questions What is community water fluoridation? Community water fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Is community water fluoridation safe? Community water fluoridation is safe and the most cost-effective way to deliver fluoride to everyone. How do Texans benefit from water fluoridation? Water fluoridation strengthens the tooth enamel. Teeth begin forming before birth and continue to form and grow until the teen years. People drinking water with fluoride during this period have stronger tooth enamel, which is resistant to tooth decay. It also helps adults by coating their teeth while they drink the water. How do I know if my water system is adding fluoride? To find out if your water system adds fluoride, visit the CDC My Water's Fluoride webpage. You should follow up with your water system to verify the information is correct. Is fluoride naturally in the water? Some areas of the state have naturally occurring fluoride in their water. Not all water has the optimal amount of fluoride in the water to help reduce tooth decay. When the fluoride level is low, fluoride is added to the drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. What does community water fluoridation cost? On average, it costs about $0.64 per person to fluoridate water for a year. For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation yields $38 savings in dental treatment costs. 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