- What is fluoride and what does it do?
- How long has fluoride been used for cavity prevention in the United States?
- What is water fluoridation?
- What does fluoride’s “high” priority status mean under California’s Proposition 65 law?
- What is the science concerning fluoride exposure and cancer?
- Do any health or government agencies support the use of fluoride?
- What is fluoride and what does it do?
Fluoride is an ingredient that can be found in oral-care products like toothpastes and rinses as well as in communities’ drinking water. Fluoride is considered safe and effective for the prevention of cavities.
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- How long has fluoride been used for cavity prevention in the United States?
Fluoride has a long history of use both in dental products as well as in drinking water. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1956. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (since 1945), every Surgeon General since the 1950s, and the American Dental Association (for more than 50 years) recognize the public-health benefits of fluoride and endorse its use for cavity prevention. By helping to reduce cavities and tooth decay, fluoride is a significant tool in advancing proper oral healthcare, which has importance benefits to an individual’s overall good health.
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- What is water fluoridation?
Fluoridation is the adjustment of drinking water to increase the level of fluoride present. It was first used in Grand Rapids, Michigan, more than 60 years ago. According to the American Dental Association, “community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.” In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes water fluoridation as one of the 20th century’s 10 great public-health achievements.
Click here to check if your local community’s water is fluoridated.
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- What does fluoride’s “high” priority status mean under California’s Proposition 65 law?
This is a new classification system that has not been fully defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. In general terms, however, a priority is assigned to a chemical after a preliminary examination of scientific evidence concerning the chemical’s potential carcinogenicity. It is reasonable to expect that chemicals classified as “high” priorities will undergo additional review to determine if the chemical should be placed on California’s Proposition 65 list. A “high” priority designation does not mean a chemical will be listed, however; it simply signifies that further scientific review is necessary. It is less likely that chemicals classified as “low” or “medium” priorities will undergo additional review or be placed on the Proposition 65 list and, in all likelihood, chemicals classified as “no” priority will not be listed.
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- What is the science concerning fluoride exposure and cancer?
Despite a large body of science on the subject, there is no compelling evidence of any link between fluoride exposure and cancer. Additionally, the National Research Council Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water determined in 2006 that animal studies also did not demonstrate convincing evidence of any association between cancer in the animals and fluoride exposure.
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- Do any health or government agencies support the use of fluoride?
Yes. Fluoride is considered safe and effective, and its use is endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States, and the American Dental Association, among others. In addition, the World Health Organization, FDAI World Dental Federation, International Association for Dental Research, and others all affirm the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of topically applied fluoride, as in oral-care products.
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