What is fluoride, and why fluoridate drinking water?
Fluoride is an abundant naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil and fresh and ocean water. When fluoride is present in drinking water at optimal levels, it has been shown to dramatically improve oral health in people of all ages by preventing tooth decay. It makes teeth stronger and harder, so they last longer. The amount of natural fluoride in some water sources is not enough to provide oral health benefits. Water fluoridation is the addition of small amounts of fluoride to a water supply to achieve the optimal fluoride level that helps prevent tooth decay. California law requires larger water distributors to fluoridate the water supply, as funding becomes available.
