Fluoride in water ‘of limited benefit’

ADDING fluoride to water supplies delivers only a modest benefit to the dental health of children, a new study suggests.

The mineral strengthens tooth enamel but, due to improvements in toothpastes over the past 50 years, the boost to oral health of adding it to water has been largely reduced, the study by Manchester and Cambridge universities found.

However, the researchers believe it is still a cost-effective way to lower the NHS’s annual £1.7billion dental care bill.

About 10 per cent of the English population live in areas with water fluoridation. Last year, former health secretary Sajid Javid announced plans to roll out a national water-fluoridation scheme.