Wisconsin
Oral Health Program
Natural Fluoride Concentrations in Private Wells
State of Wisconsin
Fluoride, a naturally occurring element, exists in
combination with other elements as a fluoride compound and is found as a
constituent of minerals in rocks and soil. When water passes through and
over the soil and rock formations containing fluoride it dissolves these
compounds, resulting in the small amounts of soluble fluoride present in
virtually all water sources. For more information, see the Fluoride Dental Health
Fact Sheet (PDF, 11 KB).
The widespread use of fluorides in various forms (water,
milk, salt, dentifrices, gels, rinses, tablets, drops, etc.) is in large
part responsible for the significant declines in tooth decay. The right
amount of fluoride in drinking water can reduce cavities in children by 20
to 40 percent. Many Wisconsin communities add fluoride to public drinking
water supplies that do not have enough naturally occurring fluoride.
However, there are many Wisconsin children whose drinking water comes from a
private well that may or may not contain enough fluoride for maximum dental
health.
There are two maps lower on this page
that indicate the average natural fluoride
concentrations in private wells in Wisconsin by both zip code
and by county. The data was obtained from water sample
testing (1998-2003) of private wells by the State Laboratory of Hygiene. The
maps indicate that higher levels of natural fluoride generally occur in
eastern, northeastern and central areas of Wisconsin. Families with children
should have the water from their private well tested for natural fluoride
content. Children on private wells deficient in fluoride should receive
dietary fluoride supplements. It is essential that a patient’s individual
private well source of drinking water be tested for fluoride content prior
to prescribing fluoride supplements. The attached maps provide average
natural fluoride levels for zip code and county areas and are not specific
to individual wells. For more information, see the Dietary Fluoride Supplements Dental Health
Fact Sheet (PDF, 11 KB).
Although fluoride has a beneficial effect within a range of
low concentrations, at higher concentrations it may cause fluorosis. Dental
fluorosis is a hypoplasia or hypomineralization of the dental enamel caused
by the consumption of excessive amounts of fluoride during the years of
tooth calcification. The prevalence and severity of fluorosis has been shown
to increase when the concentration of fluoride in the drinking water is
above 2.0 ppm. For more information, see the Fluorosis of Teeth Dental Health
Fact Sheet (PDF, 12 KB)
Wisconsin Average Natural Fluoride
Content in Wells by Zip Code
Source: Wisconsin Department of
Health and Family Services and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene,
July 2003. Average Fluoride concentrations in parts per million (ppm).
n=9999
Wisconsin Average Natural Fluoride
Content in Wells by County
Source: Wisconsin Department of
Health and Family Services and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene,
July 2003. Average Fluoride concentrations in parts per million (ppm).
n=42087
For additional information contact:
Chief Dental Officer
Division of Public Health
P.O. Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
Telephone (608) 266-5152
References:
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