Water Fluoridation

Did you know drinking tap water is good for your oral health and can also save you money? Tap water is safe, free, and readily available to all. 

Your city’s tap water may contain fluoride, a mineral that naturally strengthens tooth enamel to help prevent tooth decay.

More information:

• Fluoride in Water – ADA
• The Truth About Fluoride in Water – UC Health
• Orange County Fluoridated Water Systems – CDC

Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in our mouths. They feed on leftover food they find there, including sugary foods and drinks. When these bacteria consume sugar, they release acids that attack the tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of our teeth. Over time, damage to the enamel sets the stage for tooth decay.

Fluoride helps fight cavities by coating the enamel to strengthen teeth and repair damage from acid attacks. This repair process, called remineralization, results in fewer cavities. Fluoride plays a protective role against dental decay throughout life, benefiting not only children but also adults.

More information:

• How Fluoride Helps Prevent Tooth Decay – ADA
• Why Do Children Need Fluoride? – AAP
• About Fluoride – CDC
• Water Fluoridation: Why It is Important – AAP
• Preventing Tooth Decay with Fluoride-CDA
• Fluoride Fights Tooth Decay – Smile, California

Many public water systems contain a small amount of fluoride. To improve the dental health of our communities, tap water is carefully and optimally fluoridated.

The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) has set the recommendation for optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water to 0.7 milligrams/liter (mg/L). This concentration provides the best balance of protection from cavities, while limiting the risk of dental fluorosis.

Many health advocates and provider organizations support community water fluoridation because it has been proven to be safe and effective in fighting tooth decay.

More information:

• Current Fluoride Standards-California Water Resource Control Board
• Why Fluoride in Your Tap Water is a Good Thing (video)-ADA
• Leading Health & Medical Organizations Support Fluoridations – AAP
• Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries – NIH
• Fluorosis Facts for Families – AAP
• Water Fluoridation – UCSF

Fluoridated water mixes with saliva to coat teeth, protecting them against acid attacks that cause tooth decay. “By adding it to the water supply, it is available to everyone, regardless of their access to dental care or their ability to routinely participate in home oral hygiene practices” (Charlotte Lewis, MD).

When young children drink fluoridated water, fluoride enters the bloodstream and strengthens their developing set of adult teeth. It combines with calcium and phosphate as the tooth is formed under the gums. These teeth are more resistant to decay throughout childhood and teenage years.

More information:

• How Community Water Fluoridation Prevents Tooth Decay – AAP
• The Science Behind Community Water Fluoridation – ADA
• Fact Checked: Fluoride is a Powerful Tool for Preventing Tooth Decay – AAP

Studies continue to show the widespread of community water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves money, both for families and the health care system. According to the Centers for Disease Control: 

• Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.
• The average cost per year for U.S. communities to fluoridate the water ranges from $.50 per person for large communities to $3.00 per person for small communities.
• Communities served by fluoridated water save an average of $32 per person a year by avoiding treatment for cavities.

More information:

• Fluoridation FAQs – ADA
• The Benefits of Water Fluoridation for Adults – ADA
• Communities Benefit from Water Fluoridation – CDC
• Community Water Fluoridation Fact Sheet-CDPH
• Community Water Fluoridation-NIH

Local water utilities are the best source of information on fluoride levels in your water. To find out the fluoride levels in your drinking water, contact your local water department.

You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) My Water’s Fluoride tool online to see if your public water system is fluoridated. Select your state, county, and city.

All water utilities must provide customers with an annual Consumer Confidence Report on water quality, including fluoride levels. You may either receive the report in the mail or read it online. You may not directly receive a water quality report if you live in an apartment, condo, or rental house where a management company pays the water bill.

More information:

• Sample Water Quality Data Table-EPA
• What Are the Current Fluoride Standards- Calif. Water Control Board
• Find Your Local Water Provider – EPA
• Find Your Local Consumer Confidence Report-EPA
• How to Read Drinking Water Quality Reports – CDC
• Consumer Confidence Report Information-EPA

Page last reviewed 09.10.2026