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Water fluoridation at a glance
The Water fluoridation helps protect teeth throughout life booklet provides information about community fluoridation programs, Australian data and endorsements for water fluoridation.
Fluoride facts
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Water fluoridation helps protect teeth against decay in people of all ages, from very young children to the elderly.
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By reducing tooth decay, water fluoridation saves individuals and families money on dental treatment. It also means less time away from school and work because of dental pain and treatment.
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Most Australians have had the benefit of water fluoridation for 30–50 years.
- You cannot taste or smell fluoride in your water.
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Water fluoridation is a safe way to help protect teeth against decay and is supported by leading national and international health organisations.
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The overall weight of scientific evidence does not link water fluoridation with side effects such as cancer, bone fractures, Alzheimer’s disease, allergy, thyroid or kidney disease.
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The amount of fluoride added to the water is carefully controlled and monitored.
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Water fluoridation is the most effective way to give everybody access to the benefits of fluoride regardless of age, income or education level.
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Fluoride is found naturally in rocks and soils. All water sources both fresh and sea water contain some fluoride. Sea water has approximately the same fluoride level as that used in community fluoridation programs.
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When rocks and soils are crushed to make fertiliser, fluoride is extracted for other uses including water fluoridation.
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Mottling of tooth enamel (dental fluorosis) can occur if young children get too much fluoride. It also occurs in areas without water fluoridation. By using fluoridated toothpaste carefully the chances of dental fluorosis can be reduced without denying anybody the benefits of water fluoridation.
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The optimal fluoride level in water fluoridation programs has been determined by the National Health and Medical Research Council and is based on average maximum daily air temperature. In Victoria, the optimal fluoride level is 1 mg/L (also known as 1 part per million).
Download printable booklet
 Water Fluoridation - Consumer information booklet (402kb, pdf)
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