If I drink bottled water, am I getting enough fluoride?
If bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, you may not be getting enough fluoride. While fluoride is added to public water supplies in much of the U.S. to reduce tooth decay, the majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 part per million) of fluoride.
A number of factors affect whether or not you're getting enough fluoride, including:
- The fluoride level in your bottled water, which can vary greatly by brand, If the fluoride content does not appear on the label, contact the company and ask.
- The amount of bottled water you drink during the day
- Whether you use bottled water for drinking, cooking or reconstituting soups, juices and other drinks
- Whether you also drink fluoridated water at school, work or elsewhere
If you drink mostly bottled water, you should talk to your dentist about whether you need supplemental fluoride treatments— especially if you have children. Your dentist may recommend fluoride drops or tablets if he or she feels your child is not receiving adequate levels of fluoride.
