Fluoride in the Emerald City – History of Fluoridation in Seattle, Washington

July 5th, 2023 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Communities Supporting Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health

In the early 1950s, health officials in cities across the United States, including those in Seattle, Washington, were eager to replicate the massive success of the first longitudinal fluoridation study in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Seattle-King County Department of Public Health first proposed fluoridating Seattle’s water in 1951. The city council put the proposal to […]


Help for kids’ teeth: Another fluoridation study reports “clinically significant” benefits

June 22nd, 2023 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Health Equity

A team of researchers in England examined the impact of community water fluoridation and has reported “strong evidence for a highly clinically significant reduction” in the prevalence and severity of tooth decay. This new study, The effect of community water fluoridation on dental caries in children and young people in England: an ecological study, focused […]


What does the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say about fluoride?

January 31st, 2023 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Facts about Fluoride, Partners in Fluoride

The Campaign for Dental Health provides numerous resources to help you understand fluoridated water and address questions about fluoride. As part of that, we like to highlight what our partners say about fluoride. One of our closely aligned partners, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), has much to say about fluoride and fluoridated water. […]


Fluoride Toothpaste Recommendations for Children Under Age 6

December 12th, 2022 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Facts about Fluoride, What the Experts Say about Fluoride

fluoride toothpaste; children; toothpaste for children; toothpaste recommendations

Since 2014, the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) have all recommended that parents and caregivers use a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under the age of 3, to begin brushing with the very first tooth, and to do so twice […]


Does Fluoride Lower IQ Scores?

November 10th, 2022 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Facts about Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health

IQ Scores; fluoride

America has been preventing tooth decay with fluoridated water for over 75 years. Community water fluoridation is effective, safe and benefits everyone regardless of age or income. About 75% of U.S. communities enjoy fluoridated water. Until recently, concerns about fluoride and IQ were rarely raised. Opponents of fluoridation began focusing on IQ after the 2012 publication of […]


Australian Study Shows No Link between Cognitive Development and Fluoridated Water

October 12th, 2022 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride in the News

Boy Drinking from Sippy Cup

A new study from Australia strengthens confidence in the safety of fluoridated water with regard to the cognitive and behavioral development of children. The study found no link between greater exposure to fluoridated water and lower scores on key measures of emotional and behavioral development. Drawing from data on more than 2,600 children, this study […]


Your teens may think that they don’t need you anymore, but they’ll always need their teeth!

May 31st, 2022 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care

Teens need their teeth

Do you remember chasing your toddler around trying to brush his teeth before bed? You may not have to do that anymore, but oral health is as important for teens as it was when they were little, maybe even more so. During adolescence we want to be sure that children continue effective oral hygiene habits […]


When Good News Is Really Bad News for Children’s Teeth

May 12th, 2022 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Communities Supporting Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health

Royal College of Surgeons of England Logo

Normally, a 58% decrease in the number of children’s teeth being extracted in a country would be a statistic to celebrate. However, dental health leaders in England recognize that the significant drop in extractions in back-to-back years is largely due to to delayed dental treatment during the pandemic. Dental leaders are urging a greater need for […]