Science & technology| Well informed
What is the best way to keep your teeth healthy?
Tooth-brushing reigns supreme. But fluoride in tap water is a good safety net
A scale with a big tooth in the middle. The weights are a prwan on one side and toothpaste on the other side.
Illustration: Cristina Spanò
Tap water across America has, for decades, been fortified with fluoride, a negatively charged ion of the chemical element fluorine, in order to strengthen the public’s teeth. But a scientific review published in 2024 by America’s National Toxicology Programme, an arm of the country’s health department, found that high levels of fluoride are associated with lower IQin children.