Fluoride is a compound of the chemical element fluorine (FLOOR-
een) that's found in water, soil, air, and most foods. Fluoride
is easily absorbed into your tooth enamel, making adult teeth
more resistant to tooth decay. It also promotes the healing of a
decayed tooth even before the decay is noticeable. Most of the
water that you drink is fluoridated by standards set by the
Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA (E-P-A). The EPA has
determined the optimal level of fluoride that's safe to drink
and how much is needed as a preventive measure for your dental
health. Public fluoridated water is considered the most cost
effective and efficient dental care prevention measure
available. Too much fluoride can cause a discoloration of your
teeth or mottling of the enamel. A child's developing teeth are
more susceptible to high fluoride levels than an adult's. If
you're concerned about the fluoride levels in your drinking
water, your local public water department can supply a fluoride
content analysis. If you have a h