FLUORIDE AND WATER FLUORIDATION

How does it work?

Fluoride works in three ways to protect our teeth from decay:

it strengthens the tooth surface
it interferes with the growth of bacteria which causes tooth decay
it helps to repair early stages of tooth decay

Fluoride toothpaste

Most people get the benefits of fluoride from toothpaste. Make sure you and everyone in your family use full strength fluoride toothpaste, check the label on the toothpaste box for:

0.221% sodium fluoride, or
0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate

For children under six years, use a smear of full strength fluoride toothpaste, for those six years and over a pea sized amount.

Water fluoridation

Depending on whether your community's water supply is fluoridated, you may also receive fluoride protection through your tap water.

For more information on fluoride and water fluoridation

NZ Ministry of Health Fluoride Info Site, click here

CDHB Water Fluoridation Information Pamphlet, click here

NZ Dental Association, click here

American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/fluoride.aspx

British Fluoridation Society
http://www.bfsweb.org/