Oral Health Topics
Bottled Water
Overview
For six decades, the American Dental Association has continuously endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies and the use of fluoride-containing products as safe and effective measures for preventing tooth decay.
The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride. And, some types of home water treatment systems can reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies potentially decreasing the decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the consistent use of bottled water result in individuals missing the benefits of optimally fluoridated water?
Yes. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride.
Can home water treatment systems (e.g., water filters) affect optimally fluoridated water supplies?
Yes. Some types of home water treatment systems can reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies potentially decreasing the decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water. Read more about this in the online version of ADA's Fluoridation Facts.
Additional Resources:
ADA Statement
Articles
- Bottled Water (PDF)
- For the Dental Patient: Facts About Bottled Water (PDF)
- Home Water Treatment Systems (PDF)
Related Web Links
The ADA Council on Access, Prevention, and Interprofessional Relations has compiled the following list of non-ADA Internet sites that provide information on bottled water and home water treatment systems.
Food and Drug Administration
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
Overview
For six decades, the American Dental Association has continuously endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies and the use of fluoride-containing products as safe and effective measures for preventing tooth decay.
The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7–1.2 ppm) of fluoride. And, some types of home water treatment systems can reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies potentially decreasing the decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water.
For more detailed explanations, read the online version of ADA's Fluoridation Facts booklet. It is a 71-page comprehensive encyclopedia of fluoridation facts with over 350 scientific references. Order your copy of ADA's Fluoridation Facts (Item No. J120) from the ADA Catalog.
Additional Resources
- ADA Statement on Bottled Water, Home Water Treatment Systems, and Fluoride Exposure
- Bottled Water (PDF)
- For the Dental Patient: Facts About Bottled Water (PDF)
- Home Water Treatment Systems (PDF)
Related Web Links
The ADA Council on Access, Prevention, and Interprofessional Relations has compiled the following list of non-ADA Internet sites that provide information on bottled water and home water treatment systems:
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
- Fact Sheet on Questions About Bottled Water and Fluoride
- Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries in the United States
