CHICAGO (Oct. 20, 2006) -- The American Dental Association (ADA) supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to allow bottlers to claim that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay.
"Whether you drink fluoridated water from the tap or buy it in a bottle, you're doing the right thing for your oral health," says ADA executive director James B. Bramson, D.D.S. "Thanks to the FDA's decision, bottlers can now claim what dentists have long known--that optimally fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay."
The ADA also agrees with the FDA that this health claim is not intended for use on bottled water marketed to infants for whom lesser amounts of fluoride are appropriate.
According to the FDA's Center for Food Safety and applied Nutrition, "the food eligible to bear the claim is bottled water…containing greater than 0.6 and up to 1.0 mg/L total fluoride, and meeting all general requirements for health claims…."
The American Dental Association (ADA) continues to endorse fluoridation of community water supplies as safe and effective for preventing tooth decay. This support has been the Association's position since policy was first adopted in 1950. Approximately 162 million people in the United States are served by public water systems that are fluoridated. The ADA, along with state and local dental societies, continues to work with federal, state, and local agencies to increase the number of communities benefiting from water fluoridation.
Contact: Fred Peterson petersonf@ada.org 312-440-2806
For more information regarding fluoride and fluoridation, visit the American Dental Association's "Fluoride and Fluoridation" Web site at http://www.ada.org/goto/fluoride.
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 153,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. http://www.ada.org