We brush our teeth with fluoride toothpaste every day. Do we still need fluoridated water?
Yes. For most people, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is not enough. Drinking fluoridated water throughout the day bathes our teeth in low levels of fluoride to help them stay strong. That, combined with the more concentrated fluoride in dental products, prevents more tooth decay than toothpaste alone. Think of it this way: we are safest in our cars with seat belts and air bags, too.