Talk to a dentist, doctor, or pharmacist about fluoride supplements
Salt Lake City—The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), along with other healthcare experts, want to make sure everyone has the information they need to protect their oral health after a change in the law that bans community water fluoridation. House Bill 81 Fluoride Amendments, prohibits fluoride from being added to any public water system in Utah starting May 7. The new law does allow pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements to Utahns in need without a prescription from a dental or medical provider.
Oral health—the health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, throat, and the bones around the teeth—is important for your overall well-being. Tooth decay and gum disease can cause other health problems or infections in your body; make it difficult to speak, eat or smile; and lead to pain and tooth loss.
“Access to accurate, evidence-based information remains essential for protecting the health of all Utahns. Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, and we are committed to ensuring communities—especially those who may be most impacted by this change—continue to have the support and education needed to maintain good dental health,” said Dr. Stacey Bank, executive medical director at DHHS.
The law impacts about 1.6 million Utahns who live in Davis and Salt Lake counties, as well as residents of Brigham City. These communities will no longer have access to fluoridated drinking water beginning May 7, 2025.
“We recognize the benefits of fluoride to overall health. While community water fluoridation will no longer be available, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing cavities. The law now allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride, in addition to dentists and doctors. We encourage Utahns to have regular checkups with a dentist or healthcare provider to make sure they are doing everything they can to protect their oral health,” said Dr. Stacey Swilling, state dental director at DHHS.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps protect your teeth and bones. The amount of fluoride that is found naturally in water is different for each community. Most people in Utah live in an area where there isn’t enough natural fluoride in the water to protect their teeth. That’s why it is important to talk to a dentist, doctor, or pharmacist about how to best protect your teeth. You may need a fluoride supplement (pill or drops), varnish, toothpaste, or mouth rinse.
Utahns should call their public water system (local water district or city) for the most accurate information on the natural fluoride levels in their drinking water. Healthcare providers can use this information to accurately assess the need for fluoride supplements. People with private well water will need to find a drinking water certified lab to test their water for natural fluoride.
- Need to know which public water system serves your house? Visit the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) drinking water system webpage and enter your address and ZIP code.
- Need to find a certified laboratory that can test for fluoride in drinking water? Visit the Division of Drinking Water Utah’s Certified Laboratories list.
Dental professionals recommend a regular dental check up and teeth cleaning every 6 months to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.
- Fluoride varnishes are recommended 2 to 4 times a year for children aged 6 months and older. A fluoride varnish is a quick, painless, and effective way to help prevent cavities in young children.
- Fluoride supplements require a prescription from a dentist, doctor, or pharmacist. They are recommended for children aged 6 months to 16 years who live in areas where there isn’t enough fluoride in the water to adequately protect their teeth. Some adults may also need fluoride supplements if they are at high risk of tooth decay or have certain bone diseases.
Other tips to prevent tooth decay include:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day.
- Floss your teeth before you go to bed.
- Limit the amount of sugar you eat or drink.
- Quit tobacco and nicotine use—including vaping. These products can increase the risk of gum disease, infections in your mouth, and tooth loss.
Utahns who do not have a dentist can visit the DHHS Oral Health Program website for a list of low cost dental clinics throughout the state. You can also find a dentist that accepts Medicaid at https://medicaid.utah.gov/dental-coverage-and-plans/. Or call 1-866-608-9422 to talk to a Medicaid health program representative.
For more information, visit https://ruralhealth.utah.gov/oral-health-program/.
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