Fluoride

We add a small amount of fluoride to our drinking water.

About fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral found in all water

At proper levels, it:

  • Strengthens the tooth’s surface
  • Makes teeth more resistant to cavities
  • Helps rebuild the tooth’s surface after decay has already started
  • Reduces tooth decay by 18% to 40% in people of all ages who have frequent and consistent contact with it

Fluoridation

Fluoridation is a process through which we:

  • Add a small amount of fluoride to our drinking water
  • Bring it to an optimal level for preventing tooth decay

Fluoridation of drinking water was named as one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements in the United States.

Read the Center for Disease Control's list of ten great health achievements

Benefits

Adding fluoride to drinking water:

  • Promotes public health
  • Reduces the gap in decay rates between low-income and upper-income Americans
 

Amount of fluoride in our water

There is less than one drop of fluoride in one million drops of water of our drinking water.

Our system is set up to prevent adding too much fluoride.

We test our water to ensure the fluoride levels are correct.

  • Every day, certified operators test water samples.
  • The samples come from locations representative of the entire drinking water system.
  • Every month, we report test results to the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • Every three months, we send duplicate samples to the Minnesota Department of Health.

See Minneapolis water quality reports 

See state and federal guidance on fluoride in drinking water

Health and safety

Extensive research over 70 years supports community fluoridation's:

  • Safety 
  • Effectiveness
  • Long-term benefits

Long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride can cause:

  • Bone weakness or fractures
  • Severe dental fluorosis — a change in the appearance of the tooth’s enamel
    • In the United States, most fluorosis is mild and appears as faint white spots on the tooth’s surface.
    • It occurs when young children get too much fluoride while their teeth are developing.
    • It cannot develop or worsen once permanent teeth break through the gums.

Read scientific reports on fluoride

 

Related links

State and federal guidance

Minnesota Administrative Rule 4720.0030 Fluoridation

Minnesota Department of Health: Drinking water fluoridation

U.S. Public Health Service recommendations

Science and health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Community water fluoridation

Environmental Protection Agency: Questions and answer on fluoride

Fluoride in Drinking Water: A scientific review of EPA's standards

National Cancer Institute: Fluoridated water

Dental health

American Academy of Pediatrics Campaign for Dental Health

American Academy of Pediatrics Campaign for Dental Health: A summary of research

American Academy of Pediatrics Campaign for Dental Health: In their own words

Translated fluoride fact sheets

You can download fluoride fact sheets in many languages.
Download fact sheets

Contact us

Public Works Water Treatment & Distribution Services

Phone

For water emergencies

612-673-5600

For water quality information

612-661-4999

Address

4300 Marshall St. NE
Fridley, MN 55421

This building is closed to the public.