Fluoride is a mineral that helps keep our teeth strong and healthy. It is found naturally in water, soil, and air. Fluoride makes teeth stronger and can prevent tooth decay. People of all ages can benefit from using fluoride.
Where is fluoride found?
- Most toothpaste and some mouth rinses contain fluoride.
- Your dental provider may apply fluoride as a varnish, gel, foam, or liquid rinse.
- You may purchase a daily or weekly fluoride rinse or fluoride supplement, at a drug store if recommended by your dental provider.
- Small amounts of fluoride are found in nearly all water supplies. The amount in municipal water may be adjusted to an optimal level to protect teeth. Fluoride is not currently added to drinking water in the KFL&A region.
Community water fluoridation
KFL&A Public Health supports community water fluoridation as an effective way to prevent tooth decay.
Community water fluoridation is the process of monitoring and adjusting the fluoride level in drinking water to the recommended and optimal level to prevent tooth decay.
Water fluoridation is supported locally, nationally, and internationally by major medical, dental, and health organizations to prevent tooth decay. Water fluoridation at the recommended level is an effective, safe, and equitable way to prevent and reduce tooth decay for people of all ages.
Frequently asked questions about fluoride
Does Kingston adjust the level of fluoride in municipal drinking water? |
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No. Municipal water in the KFL&A region does not have optimal levels of fluoride. Small amounts of fluoride occur naturally in our water, but not at a high enough level to protect teeth. In Ontario, the decision to add fluoride to water supplies is made by municipalities. |
Why is fluoride added to drinking water? |
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Fluoride has been proven to help keep teeth healthy. Adding fluoride to community drinking water is the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide community members with protection against tooth decay. Community water fluoridation adjusts the level of naturally occurring fluoride to an optimal level to protect against tooth decay. Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel. |
Do other areas in Ontario adjust the level of fluoride in water? |
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Yes. As of 2022, over 14 million Ontario residents (73%) have access to fluoridated water. Our neighbouring cities of Belleville and Brockville offer fluoridated water, as do Ottawa, Toronto, and many others. |
What additive is used for community water fluoridation? |
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Fluorosilicic acid (FSA) is used to adjust the level of naturally occurring fluoride in the water in other communities. The FSA meets the industry and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change accepted standards. Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel. |
How much fluoride is added to community drinking water? |
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In communities with community water fluoridation, the level of naturally occurring fluoride in the municipal water supply is adjusted to an optimal concentration range to protect against tooth decay (between 0.5 and 0.8 milligrams per litre (mg/L) which can also be described as 0.5 to 0.8 parts per million (ppm)). This range is recommended by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in the Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines. Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel. |
What other forms of fluoride are available and where can you get it? |
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Getting fluoride from many sources gives you the best protection from tooth decay. Drinking fluoridated water reduces tooth decay in children and adults, even when other sources of fluoride (like toothpaste and fluoride varnish at the dentist) are used. After looking at all the ways we get fluoride, including toothpaste and varnish, Health Canada recommends that communities fluoridate water at 0.7 parts per million. |
Is water fluoridation harmful to health? |
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No. Scientific research strongly supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to help protect against tooth decay. Fluoride in the safe concentrations found in municipal water supplies in Canada is continuously monitored and does not pose any health hazards to humans of any age. The only known negative effect is dental fluorosis, though dental fluorosis impacts the appearance of the teeth (white spots), it does not affect the function of the teeth. Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel. |
Is there fluoride in well water or spring water in KFL&A? |
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There are trace amounts of naturally occurring fluoride in almost all water. Very few known areas in the KFL&A region have natural occurring fluoride at the optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, and none have levels that exceed the maximum acceptable concentration of 1.5 parts per million. |
Who monitors the drinking water in Kingston? |
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Utilities Kingston monitors drinking water quality for the City of Kingston. It publishes annual reports on drinking water quality which describe naturally occurring fluoride levels and other parameters tested by accredited laboratories. |
Who supports community water fluoridation? |
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Over 90 national and international health, medical, and dental organizations support water fluoridation as a public health measure to prevent tooth decay, including:
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