In the early 1900's a dentist in Colorado observed that children in towns with a high amount
of naturally occurring fluoride experienced mottled teeth however it was noted that the residents
of these communities also had strong teeth, few cavities, and very few had lost any teeth.
Additional research showed a remarkable relationship between the concentration of waterborne
fluoride and the absence of dental caries (cavities). Once the role of fluoride in water was
determined in 1945, cities throughout the United States began adding fluoride to their drinking
water supplies.
It is the responsibility of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA), to regulate the amount of fluoride in drinking water. The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribes an addition of fluoride is from 0.7 mg/l to 1.2 mg/l to
have appreciable dental significance. At a fluoride level of approximately 1.0 mg/l the optimum
condition exists for maximum reduction in cavities with no aesthetically significant mottling.
In 1986 the EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to protect
against crippling skeletal fluorosis, an adverse health effect. In addition, EPA set a non-enforceable
Secondary MCL of 2 mg/l to protect against dental fluorosis.
Today, nearly two-thirds of the United States population which is served by public water supplies
consumes water with "optimum levels" of fluoride. In the State of Oregon, 22.7% of Oregon's
population is served by public water systems with "optimum levels" of fluoride. In the metro area,
the Tualatin Valley Water District and the City of Forest Grove both currently fluoridate their water.
The American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the United States Public Health
Service and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) have all endorsed the addition of fluoride
to drinking water.
For more information contact the Water Quality Program Coordinator at 503-718-2604 or
sally@tigard-or.gov.
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