Fluorides are fluorine salts naturally present in the environment. Among other places, they are found in soil, minerals, air, streams and plants.
Fluorides can also be naturally present in drinking water. In sufficient quantity,
Fluorides are fluorine salts naturally present in the environment. Among other places, they are found in soil, minerals, air, streams and plants.
Fluorides can also be naturally present in drinking water. In sufficient quantity, they have recognised beneficial effects on dental health, particularly in preventing cavities.
Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water so that the right amount of it is present to prevent tooth decay.
Fluoridation improves the mineral composition of water without changing its taste, smell and appearance.
Fluorides reduce the effect of bacteria that cause cavities and make teeth more resistant to their action. Fluoridation of water generally reduces cavities in the population by 20 to 40%.
As a consequence, fluoridation of drinking water helps improve the health of teeth and maintain good overall wellness. It also has the benefit of significantly reducing cavities treatment needs and thus, personal spending on dental care.
In Quebec, the concentration of fluoride in drinking water that is ideal to obtain the best possible protection against tooth decay is regulated at 0.7 mg per litre.
Fluoridation of drinking water is a measure to prevent tooth decay that has been studied for over 65 years.
The national and international medical and scientific community acknowledge that fluoridation is efficient, safe and cost-effective. The most important national and international scientific organisations, including med