Does Bottled Water Contain Fluoride?

For many people, bottled water is a staple of their daily diet. While bottled water is favored by many due to its lack of impurities and fresh taste, it may lack fluoride - an important mineral for your teeth.

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the Earth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), drinking water with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. In fact, in the 1930s, researchers discovered that people who grew up drinking naturally fluoridated water had up to two-thirds fewer cavities than people living in areas without fluoridated water.

While brushing with a fluoride toothpaste or rinsing with a fluoride mouth wash can help, water can be an even greater source. Unfortunately, if you drink bottled water or use a home water filter, you could be missing out on the health benefits of this mineral.

While some people prefer bottled water simply for the taste, others drink bottled water because they live in an area where tap water may be contaminated or unsafe to consume. Either way, if you choose to drink bottled water, you should try to find the kind that contains fluoride. If you're not sure, check the label. If you have or are thinking of installing a home water filter, check out the ADA site for a list of water filters that do not remove fluoride from tap water.

Dr.Melcher with Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh, NC provides dental resources in this blog and on his website (see: Dental Treatments, Raleigh NC for information and videos about dental treatments).  Contact Dr.Melcher to schedule an appointment for your next cleaning or dental treatment in Raleigh: 919-782-0548.