Fluoridation
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in all bodies of water that is shown to protect against tooth decay (cavities). These bodies of water include surface water, ground water, and ocean water. It is also naturally present to some extent in certain foods and beverages, and is added to some dental products (e.g. toothpaste) to prevent tooth decay. Since the level of fluoride in these bodies of water is usually too low to prevent tooth decay, communities add a small amount of fluoride to the water supply.
What is Community Water Fluoridation?
Fluoridation is a safe and effective process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to a level recommended for preventing tooth decay. This process prevents tooth decay by providing frequent and consistent, low levels of fluoride in the mouth (in the saliva and on tooth surfaces). Fluoride concentrations used for water fluoridation at the optimal level of 0.7 mg/l (0.7 mg/l +/1 0.15 mg/l) is not harmful or toxic.
Frequently Asked Questions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Click here to access a larger version of the infographic.
What are the Oral Health Benefits of Fluoridation?
According to the CDC Office of Oral Health, fluoride benefits children and adults throughout their lives by helping to rebuild and strengthen the tooth's surface or enamel. Drinking optimally fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by up to 25% in children and adults, leading to:
- Less mouth pain,
- Fewer fillings or teeth pulled, and
- Fewer missed days of work and school
More than 75 years of research and experience shows community water fluoridation is safe, effective, healthy, and the best way to improve oral health in a community. It is recommended by nearly all public health, medical, and dental organizations including:
- The American Dental Association,
- The American Academy of Pediatrics,
- The U.S. Public Health Service, and
- The World Health Organization
The CDC named fluoridation one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th century due to the dramatic decline in the prevalence and severity of tooth decay (cavities) since 1945.
Fluoridation Statistics
- Since 2012, almost 75% of the U.S. population is served by fluoridated community public water systems (PWS).
- In Connecticut, 32 PWSs with 106 treatment plants add fluoride to their drinking water and report daily fluoride levels to the DPH Drinking Water Section (DWS) in accordance with the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) Section 19-13-B102.
- As of 2024, an estimated 2.4 million people (86%) in Connecticut receive optimally fluoridated drinking water from a PWS.
Connecticut General Statute 19a-38
- Under this statute (CGS Sec. 19a-38), PWSs in Connecticut that serve over 20,000 people must adjust the fluoride level of the drinking water so as to maintain an average monthly fluoride content that is not more or less than 0.15 of a miilligram per liter different that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' most recent reccomendation for optimal fluoride levels in drinking water to prevent tooth deay.
- Currently, the optimal fluoridation level is 0.7 mg/l.
Through federal grants from the CDC, the Office of Oral Health, in partnership with DPH’s Drinking Water Section has done the following work to support and promote community water fluoridation in the state:
- Provided education on the benefits, safety, and effectiveness of maintaining recommended fluoride levels for community water fluoridation.
- Monitored and reported water fluoridation activities including documentation of PWSs that adjust fluoride levels and proportion of people served.
- Maintained an awareness of policy changes and actions that suppoort and promote quality control and management of fluoridated water systems.
Connecticut Fluoridation Resources:
Resource Guide for Water Operators on Fluoridation in CT
What is Fluoride and Why is it Good for Teeth?
National Fluoridation Resources:
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Water Works Association
Back to the Office of Oral Health Home Page