font size



What other names is Fluoride known by?


What is Fluoride?


Fluoride is added to public drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Children who do not drink fluorinated public water because their homes use water from a private well often take fluoride tablets to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is added to toothpaste and mouthwashes so it can be applied directly to the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

Fluoride is also taken by mouth for treating weakened bones (osteoporosis) and for preventing bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Effective for...

  • Preventing tooth decay, when fluoride is added to drinking water or included in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other dental products.

Possibly Effective for...

  • Treating osteoporosis (bone loss). Fluoride taken by mouth continuously or cyclically (three months on, one month off) might increase bone mineral density, which is an indicator of bone strength. Fluoride seems to work better for improving bone strength in older women when combined with hormone replacement therapy. However, it's not clear whether taking fluoride actually reduces the chance of weak bones breaking.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of fluoride for these uses.


Therapeutic Research Faculty copyright

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration


Medical Dictionary