August 17, 2001 ATLANTA (AP) - Federal health officials said Thursday that 100 million Americans are at higher risk for dental disease because their communities do not put enough fluoride in drinking water.
New guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend labeling bottled water for its fluoride content.
The CDC said it issued the guidelines in part because of the surge in popularity of bottled water in the past decade.
Fluoride can prevent, slow and in some cases reverse tooth decay.
In 1999, the CDC listed water fluoridation among the 10 greatest public health milestones of the 20th century, crediting the process with huge reductions in tooth decay among Americans.
"Although these declines have been dramatic, there are still some areas of the country that are not receiving the benefits of water fluoridation," CDC director Jeffrey Koplan said.
The CDC recommends a tiny amount of fluoride - about one part per million - in drinking water. Among the other guidelines:
-Limited use of fluoride supplements for children in communities with low fluoride concentration in their drinking water.
-Guarding against overuse of fluoride by children younger than 6, which can cause a condition that produces white lines and spots on teeth.
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
