Water Fluoridation & Tooth Decay: Risks & Impact
A new study reveals a potential surge in childhood cavities and soaring healthcare costs if the U.S. stops water fluoridation, a critical measure for dental health. Researchers project a 7.5 percentage point increase in tooth decay and a $9.8 billion rise in healthcare expenses over five years.Impacted most are publicly insured and uninsured children, further highlighting the importance of water fluoridation. The findings underscore the benefits of maintaining current levels, as explored in JAMA Health forum, with over 25 million more decayed teeth perhaps resulting from discontinued water fluoridation. News Directory 3 brings you the latest in dental health news. Considering that the model did show a decrease of fluorosis cases, what are the long-term effects of these developments? discover what’s next regarding the wider impact.
Water Fluoridation’s Impact on Children’s Dental Health and Costs
Updated June 01, 2025
Removing fluoride from U.S.public water systems could significantly increase dental caries among children,according to a new modeling study.The research,published in JAMA Health Forum,projects a 7.5 percentage point rise in childhood cavities and an additional $9.8 billion in healthcare costs over five years if water fluoridation, a key measure for dental health, is discontinued.
Researchers, including Sung Eun Choi, PhD, of Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Lisa Simon, MD, DMD, of brigham and Women’s Hospital, used data from over 8,400 participants aged 0-19 from the United states National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2016). Their model assessed the impact of eliminating water fluoridation compared to maintaining current levels. The study also considered the potential decrease of about 200,000 fluorosis cases, a discoloration of teeth due to excessive fluoride.
The model indicated that ending fluoridation could lead to 25.4 million more decayed teeth over five years. The increased healthcare costs are “mainly due to increased risk of tooth decay and associated complications,” the researchers noted. Children with public insurance or no insurance would be disproportionately affected by these dental health costs.
“Despite concerns regarding toxic effects associated with high levels of fluoride, this model demonstrates the considerable ongoing benefits of water fluoridation at safe levels currently recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the study authors reported.
What’s next
The study underscores the importance of maintaining current water fluoridation levels to protect children’s dental health and reduce healthcare expenditures. Further research could explore the long-term effects of water fluoridation on cognitive health and broader economic outcomes related to dental health.