Elevated Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water
This page was reviewed or revised on Monday, April 30, 2012 2:29 PM
Fluoride is naturally released into groundwater from certain rock types such as granite and gneiss. It is beneficial to teeth and bones when within recommended limits.
To ensure that fluoride levels are within the recommended limits, municipal water supplies are maintained by the County of Lambton. Municipal water supplies typically have a fluoride level less than 0.80 milligrams per litre (mg/L) but no greater than 1.5 mg/L.
Some areas in Lambton County (not on a municipal water supply) have elevated levels of natural fluoride occurring in their water supply.
When natural fluoride levels are above 1.5 mg/L the Ministry of the Environment recommends raising public awareness and educating the public about how to control excessive exposure.
Dental literature indicates that water with fluoride levels around or above 2.0 mg/L or parts per million (ppm), may cause some dental “fluorosis” to occur.
Consumption of drinking water with elevated fluoride levels may cause cosmetic changes to teeth called fluorosis.
Fluorosis occurs while the tooth is forming below the gums (usually during ages 0-6 years) not after the tooth erupts into the mouth.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the responsibility of any homeowner with a private water supply to ascertain the water quality including fluoride levels.
Fluoride Toothpaste
It is known that many of the “white” spots on teeth may be the result of young children “eating” or swallowing fluoride toothpaste. See the Fluoride / Non Fluoride Toothpaste Recommendations site / pamphlet.
Recommendations if the fluoride content of drinking water exceeds 1.5 mg/L:
If young children are consuming this water and you are worried about fluorosis; consider buying a home treatment system to remove or reduce the fluoride content.
Only reverse osmosis and distillation process removes fluoride. Contact “Water Companies” in the yellow pages for prices.
If a home treatment system is not possible, use water from another source with a lower fluoride level (e.g. non fluoridated, bottled water) for drinking, cooking, mixing juices or making baby formula, especially when there are young children at home.
For children under 7 years of age, and particularly for children who may swallow toothpaste, a parent should consider the use of non-fluoride toothpaste or no toothpaste. Only small amounts (pea size or a smear) of toothpaste should ever be used. Parents should dispense the toothpaste.
Child Health & Dental Services Department DOES NOT recommend the use of fluoride supplements. They should NOT be used in areas with elevated fluoride levels.
A fluoride treatment at the dentist has very little chance of contributing to fluorosis. If concerned, talk with your dental health professional.
Fluoride Water Test
Free testing of drinking water for nitrates, nitrites and fluoride is no longer offered in Ontario.
However, it is available on a fee-for-service basis. The public can use any accredited lab, including ones in London or Waterloo. Contact the lab for the cost and steps to process a water sample.
SGS Environmental Services
657 Consortium Court,
London, ON N6E 2S8
519-672-4500 or toll free:
1-877-848-8060.
ALS Laboratories
1-60 Northland Road
Waterloo, ON N2V 2B8
519-886-6910 or toll free:
1-800-668-9878
For more information call Environmental Health & Prevention Services at 519 383-8331 or toll free: 1-800-667-1839.
Downloads:
What is PDF? PDF stands for Portable Document Format and is a way of distributing documents over networks while ensuring they always print the same. To view PDF files, you need either the Foxit Reader (1.1 MB) or Adobe Reader (27.7 MB)
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
- Funding for this non-profit website is provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the County of Lambton.
