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Well Water and Teeth

Most American homes get their drinking water from public water systems, yet there are many who still use well water as their primary source of drinking water. Well water contains minerals native to the area where it is located, including sulfur, iron, magnesium and copper, among others. Fluoride is a necessary component to tooth health and is a common additive to public drinking water. Most well water contains some degree of fluoride, but some contains too much. Improper levels of fluoride in well water can contribute to tooth problems.

  1. History

    • Fluoride has been a U.S. water additive for more than 60 years. This has been credited as the cause of a 20 percent to 40 percent reduction in tooth decay. The recommended level of fluoride in water supplies is between 0.7 and 1.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

    Fluoride Deficiency

    • Some well water is fluoride-deficient. Water testing can determine how much fluoride is in the water naturally. Toothpastes and rinses containing fluoride can help make up the difference. Children, who are especially susceptible to insufficient fluoride, can take supplements to help boost their fluoride intake to beneficial levels.

    Mild Excessive Fluoride

    • Too much fluoride in well water, which affects as many as 4 percent of sampled well water, is defined as a water fluoride content greater than 2 mg/L, which can cause tooth damage and can have other health risks. Children under the age of 8 should be wary of drinking well water that contains more than 1.2 mg/L. Well water containing from 1.2 to 2 mg/L is safe for older children and adults.

    Danger Zone

    • Water with fluoride levels above 2 mg/L, but less than 4 mg/L, should not be a source of drinking water for children under the age of 8. It is OK for older children and adults, but you may wish to consider another source of drinking water for your household. Fluoride levels over 4 mg/L are not safe for anyone, and all family members should use alternate sources of drinking water or install a fluoride removal device.

    Effects

    • Excess fluoride levels result in enamel fluorosis of the teeth, with the degree of damage increasing with the amount of fluoride in the water. Enamel fluorosis damage ranges anywhere from staining and spotting of teeth to severe discoloration and pitting of tooth enamel, which can lead to chipping and peeling. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency, continued long-term exposure to excessive levels of fluoride in drinking water can lead to bone fluorosis. This condition is painful and can cause bone weakness, tenderness and fractures.

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