The federal government is calling for lower levels of fluoride in drinking water, the first update since the 1960s.
The new recommendation is for 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which replaces the previous range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams, according to the Health and Human Services Department on Monday.
Americans have access to more fluoride through toothpaste and mouth rinses than when the recommendations were introduced in 1962, the agency said.
Because Americans are using more fluoride, officials are worried about increases in cases of fluorosis, a condition that stains teeth exposed to too much fluoride.
“The new recommended level will maintain the protective decay prevention benefits of water fluoridation and reduce the occurrence of dental fluorosis,” the agency said Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lauded water fluoridation as a key reason for declining tooth decay cases.
