Is Fluoride Bad for You?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water, soil, and some foods. Dentists use it because it strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. It’s added to toothpaste, mouth rinses, and even public water supplies to improve dental health.
Is fluoride safe?
Yes, fluoride is safe when used in the right amounts. Public water fluoridation and fluoride products like toothpaste are supported by major health organizations, including the American Dental Association (ADA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), support public water fluoridation and fluoride products like toothpaste.
Is fluoride good for your teeth?

When you eat soft, starchy foods or drink sugar-sweetened beverages, bacteria in your mouth produce acids that weaken tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. Fluoride helps by:
- Rebuilding enamel: It adds minerals back to the teeth.
- Making teeth more resistant: Enamel becomes stronger and less likely to decay.
- Reducing bacteria: It helps lower the number of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.
Are there any risks from fluoride?
Like many things, too much fluoride can be harmful. The main concerns are:
- Dental fluorosis: This happens if children under 8 consume too much fluoride while their teeth are forming. It shows up as white spots or streaks on teeth. It's usually mild and only cosmetic.
- Health risks from excessive exposure: Extremely high levels of fluoride over time (far more than you’d get from water or toothpaste) can affect bones or lead to other health issues. But this is very rare in the U.S. because fluoride levels are carefully monitored.
What happens when you don’t have enough fluoride?
Fluoride helps protect teeth from cavities. Without enough fluoride and with food debris on teeth, bacteria can produce acids that wear away tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Cavities can cause pain, tooth loss, and other health problems.
Your dentist can evaluate your fluoride exposure and suggest ways to get the right amount. If you’re not sure about your water supply, ask your local water provider or consider using fluoride supplements if recommended by your dentist.
Can I get too much fluoride from toothpaste?
It’s unlikely if you use toothpaste as directed. Kids under 3 should use a smear the size of a grain of rice. Kids ages 3 to 6 should use a pea-sized amount. Adults can use a regular amount but don’t swallow it.
Should I use fluoride-free toothpaste or water?
Fluoride-free options won’t give your teeth the same protection against cavities. The ADA strongly recommends fluoride toothpaste and water fluoridation as effective ways to prevent tooth decay.
Should you say no to fluoride at the dentist?
During a dental exam or cleaning, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments, especially if you’re at higher risk for cavities. These treatments deliver a concentrated dose of fluoride to strengthen teeth. If your dentist finds that you have a lower risk for cavities, the amount of fluoride you obtain in toothpaste and water should be sufficient.
Is there fluoride in drinking water?
You might wonder if you should be concerned about fluoride levels in drinking water. There’s no need to worry! Fluoride levels in public water systems are adjusted to safe and effective levels (usually 0.7 parts per million). This level helps to prevent cavities without causing harm.
Some bottled water contains fluoride that occurs naturally in the water source, while other brands add fluoride. The amount of fluoride in bottled water varies, but the average is 0.11 parts per million (ppm). Bottled water that is labeled as de-ionized, purified, demineralized, or distilled usually contains no or only trace amounts of fluoride. You can check the label or contact the manufacturer to find out how much fluoride is in a particular brand.
What does the American Dental Association (ADA) say about fluoride?
The ADA says that fluoride has been called “nature’s cavity fighter” because it occurs naturally in varying amounts in water sources such as rivers, lakes, and even the oceans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even with the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste, water fluoridation helps reduce tooth decay by 25%. Decades of research and practical experience have demonstrated the effectiveness of community water fluoridation in reducing tooth decay.
As a science and evidence-based organization, the ADA welcomes continued study and evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation and continues to strongly support community water fluoridation at its current recommended level.
For more information on community water fluoridation, visit the ADA or CDC websites.
Dental Care at Eastman Dental
Whether you need a cleaning, a filling, surgery, or treatment for a condition – we have the expertise to give you the smile you deserve. Our services are provided by dental residents and overseen by expert faculty dentists. The residents are fully trained dentists studying to become specialists in fields like orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, pediatrics and more.