What is non-fluoridated water?

Non-fluoridated water is water that does not contain fluoride. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, is added to the tap water that serves over 204 million people throughout the United States. Fluoride is added to drinking water due to its ability to prevent tooth decay.

To drink non-fluoridated water, one can purchase spring or distilled water, which have very low levels of fluoride compared to fluoridated tap water, or use a water filter in the home that is able to remove fluoride from the water. People who drink fluoridated water have a 25 percent reduction in tooth decay over the course of their lifetimes, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control.