Myth.

Tooth decay remains a major chronic problem in the United States. The CDC reports that by age 6-8 nearly 1 in 5 children had at least one untreated cavity, and more than 1 in 10 adults aged 65 and older have lost all their teeth. According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, 1 in 4 low-income adults in Georgia say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition, and 70% believe they will lose some teeth at some stage. The primary reason most people do not visit the dentist is cost.  

Myth.

Water fluoridation is not banned in Europe. Many European countries choose to use other methods of fluoride enrichment to help fight tooth decay such as milk, salt, or bottled water fluoridation, and 14 European countries have not yet chosen to invest in fluoridating their water. Other countries have higher naturally occurring levels of fluoride in their water, and they choose not to fluoridate. 

Fact.

Water fluoridation plays a role in decay prevention, but many other things influence the prevalence of tooth decay, such as how often people make it to the dentist, at home oral hygiene habits, access to nutritious foods, smoking status, age, etc. Comparing 2 states with the same level of access to fluoridated water also requires comparing other characteristics to fully understand why different rates of tooth decay exist.  

Myth.

Different countries and jurisdictions have experimented with methods of providing enough fluoride to people, but water fluoridation remains the most cost-effective option. Cost is of particular concern for people in low-income households, who may choose to save money by avoiding the purchase of additional dental hygiene products or nutritional supplements. Meanwhile, community water fluoridation distributes the cost of delivering fluoride efficiently and fairly.  

Myth.

Toothpaste has roughly 1,000x as much fluoride per milligram as drinking water, and children who swallow toothpaste may be at increased risk of developing mild dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition which causes faint white streaks on teeth but does not cause pain or impair function. The FDA has established warning labels for several over-the-counter products it has deemed safe and effective.  

Fact.

Fluoridating water does not take away a person’s choice, but it does give a choice to people whose means might prevent them from having a chance to decide at all. Fluoride exists naturally in virtually all water supplies, and communities in Georgia may already choose whether to fluoridate their water. Water with a lower level of fluoride is almost always relatively affordable and available for purchase in the form of bottled or canned water. Not everyone can easily afford to have extra cavities filled. It is important to remember that community water fluoridation, or the lack of it, effects everyone in a community, and members of the community pay for a lack of community water fluoridation with worse dental health, unnecessary emergency room visits, missed work and school days, and increased Medicaid spending.  

Myth.

Fluoride is a nutrient naturally present in virtually all water supplies, and some areas have more while others have less. Fortifying foods and beverages with specific vitamins and minerals is a common practice done to help improve people's health. Iodized salt and vitamin D in milk are 2 other common examples used by almost everyone in the United States.  

Myth.

As with all nutrients, the appropriate amount of fluoride intake varies with age and weight. Using fluoridated water to reconstitute baby formula may slightly increase a child’s risk of mild dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition which causes faint white streaks on teeth but does not cause pain or impair function, but water fluoridated at optimal levels helps improve a child’s oral health over the course of their lifetime.