What to know
- Community water fluoridation prevents cavities. However, there are steps you can take to improve your oral health even if you live in an area without fluoridated water.
Overview
Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases in children in the United States. The natural mineral fluoride protects teeth from cavities. Water fluoridation prevents cavities by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride.
Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to a level recommended for preventing cavities.
In some areas, there is already enough fluoride in water to provide an oral health benefit. However, not all communities have enough fluoride to prevent cavities. Local communities decide whether to add fluoride to drinking water.
Prevention steps and strategies
If you live in an area without fluoridated water, there are steps you can take to prevent cavities and improve the oral health of your family.
Parents and Caregivers:
For Adults
- See a dentist at least once a year.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily.
For Babies
- Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed to wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
- When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small-bristled toothbrush and plain water.
- Visit the dentist by your baby's first birthday to spot signs of problems early.
- Talk to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish on your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.
For Children
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Help your child brush their teeth until they have good brushing skills. If your child is younger than 6, watch them brush. Make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out rather than swallow.
- Ask your child's dentist to apply dental sealants or fluoride varnish when appropriate.
For children younger than 2, consult first with your doctor or dentist regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste.
Health Care Providers:
Be prepared for questions you may get from your patients about cavities or their oral health. Patients may have questions about the fluoridation status of their water and want more information on how they can prevent cavities.
Resource
See if a local water system shares fluoride data with CDC in My Water's Fluoride website.
Patients can also get detailed information from their water provider. Advise your patient to call their water utility company and request a copy of the most recent "Consumer Confidence Report." This report includes information on the level of fluoride in their drinking (tap) water.
Encourage and educate your patients to:
- See a dentist at least once a year.
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily.
Health care providers—including dentists, pediatricians, family doctors, or nurses—can determine whether children might need oral fluoride supplements if their drinking water does not have the optimal level of fluoride to prevent cavities (0.7 milligrams per liter). Oral fluoride supplements can be drops, tablets, or lozenges.
State Health Departments:
- Consult with the state oral health program or water utilities program to determine the current status of your state's fluoridation efforts.
- Provide resources or links to obtain further information for those that seek guidance.
- Support efforts to notify the public if water fluoridation is discontinued. Medical and dental providers often make care plan decisions with the expectation that the patient is receiving fluoridated water.
Find out more on our Community Water Fluoridation Frequently Asked Questions page.