Ada supports fluoride in bottled water

The Australian Dental Association Inc (ADA) supports the addition of fluoride to bottled water.

“Recent calls by the Prime Minister, John Howard, and Choice Magazine to consider the addition of fluoride to bottled water are supported by the ADA.

Last year, a survey of fluoride content in still bottled water was published in the Australian Dental Journal. The average level was less than 10% (.08 part per million) of the optimum (1.00 part per million)” says Dr John Matthews, President of the ADA.

“The impact that consumption of non-fluoridated bottled water has on teeth is difficult to determine. It has to be taken in context with the consumption of other beverages that have grown recently in popularity. The intake of carbonated drinks, fruit juice and sports drinks places an individual at far greater risk of tooth decay than the consumption of non-fluoridated water.

However, the ADA suggests there is a potential link between increasing decay rates in children and teenagers and increased consumption of non-fluoridated water. The ADA believes bottled water should be fluoridated and that the fluoride content should be clearly marked on the label.

Many parents give young children filtered tap water. Parents should be aware that some filters (reverse osmosis) remove fluoride. The ADA believes manufacturers of filter systems should clearly stipulate a filter’s capacity to remove fluoride.

The overall ADA strategy recommended to prevent childhood caries (tooth decay) is:

• Use fluoride daily – in drinking water and toothpaste
• Avoid sweet, acidic, sticky foods, especially between meals
• Brush and floss your teeth daily
• Visit your dentist regularly for preventative treatment and early intervention.
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