Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water in varying amounts, depending on where in the UK you live. It can help to prevent tooth decay, which is why it’s added to many brands of toothpaste and, in some areas, to the water supply through a process called fluoridation.
Tooth decay
Tooth decay, also known as dental decay or dental caries, is a major health concern worldwide and is still a big problem in the UK. Despite being preventable, it is the most common reason for hospital admission in children.
Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth tissue caused by acids made by bacteria in dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film that constantly forms on the teeth. Each time you have sugary food and drink, the bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks teeth. If you eat or drink sugary foods frequently throughout the day, you have more “acid attacks” which can lead to tooth decay. This can eventually lead to cavities (holes) in the teeth and infection, which is why teeth sometimes need to be removed.
Fluoride toothpaste
Brushing your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay. A range of toothpastes are available that contain different levels of fluoride. The amount of fluoride that’s in the toothpaste can be found on the side of the tube and is measured in parts per million (ppm).
Toothpastes containing 1450-1500ppm fluoride are the most effective. We may advise you to use higher-strength toothpaste if you or your child is at particular risk of tooth decay.
• Children under three years old should brush twice daily, with a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000ppm fluoride.
• Children between three and six years old should brush at least twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1450ppm fluoride.
• Adults should brush at least twice daily with a toothpaste containing 1450-1500ppm fluoride.
Don’t use mouthwash at the same time as brushing. Use it at an alternative time, because it washes away the fluoride in the toothpaste.
Fluoride Mouth Rinses
Fluoride mouth rinses can be prescribed for adults and children aged eight and above who have tooth decay. They should be used every day, in addition to brushing twice daily with toothpaste containing at least 1450ppm fluoride.
Rinses should be used at different times to brushing to avoid washing the toothpaste off your teeth, as this reduces the beneficial effects of the fluoride in the toothpaste.
Fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth by a dentist. The process involves painting a varnish containing high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth every six months to prevent decay. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
Community water fluoridation
Most water supplies contain some fluoride and in the early 20th century, levels of tooth decay were found to be associated with fluoride levels in drinking water. This led to the introduction of water fluoridation schemes to add fluoride to water supplies to improve dental health.
Community water fluoridation schemes have operated for over 70 years; the first fluoridation scheme was introduced in the US in 1945. The first substantive UK scheme was established in Birmingham in 1964. In 2004, following a public consultation, Scotland’s parliament rejected proposals to fluoridate public drinking water.
Community water fluoridation in England
Around 5.8 million people in England receive fluoridated water. This means fluoride has been added to bring it up to around 1mg of fluoride per litre of water, which is a level found to reduce tooth decay levels.
The decision about whether to add fluoride to the water supply is made by individual local authorities. Areas where water fluoridation schemes are currently in place include parts of:
• the West Midlands
• the North East
• the East Midlands
• Eastern England
• the North West
• Yorkshire and Humber
In some parts of the country, such as parts of the North East and Midlands, the public water supply naturally contains a level of fluoride that’s similar to that seen in schemes. Some private water supplies contain more than this amount.
What research has been carried out?
Over the past 50 years, there have been several reviews of the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation schemes. Recent large reviews that have been carried out include:
• Public Health England: Water fluoridation health monitoring report for England (PDF, 1.51Mb) – in 2014 (read the NHS Choices coverage of this report)
• NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination: A systematic review of water fluoridation (PDF, 6.22Mb) – in 2000
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US): Recommendations on selected interventions to prevent dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers and sports-related craniofacial injuries (PDF, 69kb) – in 2002
• National Health and Medical Research Council (Australian Government): Efficacy and safety of fluoridation – in 2007
• US Department of Health and Human Services Community Preventive Services Task Force: Community water fluoridation – in 2013
• Royal Society of New Zealand: Health effects of water fluoridation (PDF, 1Mb) – in 2014
• Health Research Board (Ireland): Health effects of water fluoridation (PDF, 1.58Mb) – in 2015
• Cochrane Oral Health Group: Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries – in 2015
Overall, these reviews found that water fluoridation appears to contribute to reduced tooth decay levels and doesn’t seem to be associated with any significant health risks.
Is fluoride safe?
There have been some concerns that fluoride may be linked to a variety of health conditions. Reviews of the risks have so far found no convincing evidence to support these concerns.
However, a condition called dental fluorosis can sometimes occur if a child’s teeth are exposed to too much fluoride when they’re developing. Mild dental fluorosis can be seen as very fine pearly white lines or flecking on the surface of the teeth. Severe fluorosis can cause the tooth’s enamel to become pitted or discoloured. It’s uncommon in the UK for fluorosis to be severe enough to seriously affect the appearance of teeth. This is because fluoride levels in water are carefully monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and adjusted if necessary.
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