Fluoride Questions and Answers
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is one of the most plentiful elements on earth and occurs naturally
in water supplies throughout California. The mineral reduces the ability of oral
bacteria to produce acid that strips minerals from the surface of teeth.
However, the amount of natural fluoride in water supplies is usually not enough
to provide any oral health benefits.
Is our water supply
fluoridated?
A small amount of fluoride exists naturally in our water supply.
As mandated by the State Legislature, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD),
which supplies all of SMWD’s drinking water, will add a small amount of
additional fluoride to their water
starting on November 19, 2007.
Did
the SMWD Board of Directors make the decision to fluoridate our water supply?
No. The state legislature mandated the state water agencies add fluoride to
their water back in 1955, but did not require districts to do so until state
funding was provided. SMWD receives water from the Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California (MWD), and they now have the funds to follow through with
the state mandate. SMWD's Board of Directors did not make the decision.
Why did the legislature
vote to require fluoride in
the water supply?
Fluoride has been added to water since the 1940s because it has been shown
to promote oral health by preventing tooth decay. In the interest of better
dental health, the California State Legislature mandated that water agencies add
supplemental fluoride to drinking water in 1995.
Ÿ
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and reverses newly formed cavities
Ÿ
Fluoride prevents cavities in the root surfaces of teeth for older adults when
their gums start to recede
Do other communities add
fluoride to the water?
Yes. In fact, by taking this action, MWD will be joining more than 14,000
communities across the nation that have fluoridated water supplies.
Is fluoride safe?
Yes. More than five decades of studies have shown the positive benefits of
fluoride and fluoridation. You can learn more on the Web site of the
Metropolitan Water District.
Why is MWD only adding
fluoride now?
MWD was not required to add fluoride because the state never provided
funding to offset the costs. However, MWD’s Web site says they received pressure
from public health groups to add fluoride, and that the California Dental
Association Foundation has agreed to pay all costs associated with the
installation of MWD’s fluoridation equipment.
How much will fluoridation
cost me?
MWD is subsidizing all costs related to fluoridation and SMWD customers will
not see an increase to their water rates as a result of this process.
Should I continue to take fluoride tablets and/or drops?
According to health officers, if you drink a regular
amount of tap water, it is unnecessary for you to continue taking fluoride
tablets or drops now that fluoride has been added to the tap water. But
remember, the American Dental Association believes drinking fluoridated water should be part of a total treatment plan
for healthy gums and teeth, and daily brushing and the continued use of fluoride
treatments by professional dental caregivers is still recommended.
I do not want to drink
water with added fluoride. Should I switch to bottled?
Studies show that fluoridation is a public benefit, which is why the
American Dental Association urges people to drink fluoridated water as part of
an ongoing treatment plan for healthy gums and teeth. Even so, if you prefer not
to drink the tap water, you should know that most bottled waters do contain
levels of fluoride, although the level will be lower than SMWD’s water – and
below the optimum range for dental health. Home water treatment units that use
reverse osmosis membrane filtration will effectively remove fluoride. However,
activated carbon filters will not remove fluoride.
You should check for state certification for fluoride removal on any home
water treatment unit being considered. A list of state-certified water treatment
devices may be found at
www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/watertreatmentdevices.aspx .
Did you know that the EPA
is against water fluoridation?
The EPA report is limited to a review of the level of naturally occurring
fluoride currently recommended in drinking water. It reviewed fluoride levels
two to five times higher than the level of fluoride used in optimally
fluoridated community water systems. Nothing in this report calls into question
the optimal levels of 0.7-1.2 parts per million in fluoridated community water
systems.
The American Dental Association has issued a response to the EPA’s findings
– it can be found online at
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/fluoride_report_response.pdf
Where can I find more
information about fluoridation?
Ÿ
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
www.mwdh2o.com
Ÿ
Contact your local assemblyman and/or state senator
Ÿ The
Center for Disease Control:
www.cdc.gov/nohss/guideFL.htm
Ÿ
California Department of Health Services:
www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/Fluoridation/default.htm
Ÿ The
American Dental Association:
www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/index.asp
