Potential effects of water fluoride on teeth
To reduce tooth decay, the Hutt City Council adds fluoride to most water supplies in the Hutt Valley. A slight majority of people in New Zealand receive a fluoridated water supply.
Fluoride occurs naturally in most water. But it is usually at too low a level for teeth protection. The concentration of fluoride in Hutt City ranges .7 mg/l to .8 mg/l.
Recent U.S. research has identified a risk that fluoride in water, used for infant milk formulas, especially when fed regularly to babies in their first year (though there is still a risk in babies up to four years) causes enamel fluorosis. Fluorosis ranges from an almost imperceptible tooth staining to brittleness in both baby and later adult teeth.
There are a number of ways to reduce the concentration of fluoride in water and the risk of fluorosis from the infant formula.
The Te Puna Wai Ora artesian water supply in Petone at Buick Street is not fluoridated and is available for free public collection. Tap water in Petone and Korokoro is also not fluoridated.
Pictured on this page are people collecting the spring water from Te Puna Wai Ora at Buick St in Petone. It comes directly from the Hutt River aquifer and no chemicals are added.
Bottled water that is labeled purified, demineralised, deionised, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered, should be free of fluoride or have low levels.
Health authorities recommend breast feeding as the best option.
Boiling water does not reduce the fluoride content. If anything it will increase the concentration in the water.
Hutt City Council has prepared a report on infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water.
Hutt City Council is monitoring the fluoride issue and evaluating further research.
In the meantime, to help people in Hutt City be informed on the issues, we are providing these links;
Map of fluoride levels in Hutt City
or download the pdf of the map (PDF 110kb)
