Fluoride
F · last AI check: 2026-07-19
In short
Supports the mineralisation of tooth enamel. Supplied mainly by drinking water and toothpaste, not food.
What it does in the body
The sentences below are officially authorised EU health claims.
Fluoride contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation EU health claim
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012, Annex — list of permitted health claims · register entry: 275, 276, 338 · EFSA opinion: 2009;7(9):1212; 2010;8(10):1797
Condition of use on a product: The product is at least a source of Fluoride.
How much you need
| Country / organisation | Group | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFSA | adult men | AI Adequate intake — an approximate value used when data are insufficient to set an exact requirement (RDA). | |
| NASEM (US/CA) | adult men | AI Adequate intake — an approximate value used when data are insufficient to set an exact requirement (RDA). | |
| Philippines | adult men | AI Adequate intake — an approximate value used when data are insufficient to set an exact requirement (RDA). | |
| Switzerland | adult men | AI Adequate intake — an approximate value used when data are insufficient to set an exact requirement (RDA). |
Reference values from different countries are not directly comparable — they differ in definition and age group. How to read reference values →
Every value states its source — click it to see the document, location and link.Data and content are prepared and cross-checked against source documents by several independent AI models. They have not been audited by a human editor.Before citing a value, check it in the source document — verification is automated (AI), not editorial.
Worth knowing
Fluoride stands out from the other nutrients on this site — in many countries its main source isn't food but drinking water (naturally occurring or through fluoridation) and oral hygiene products. The fluoride content of food is usually secondary to these two sources.
Fluoride's role in the body is exceptionally narrow: the only EU-authorised health claim for fluoride concerns maintaining tooth mineralisation — and that's where the list ends. By comparison, zinc or vitamin B6 each have more than a dozen. This narrowness isn't a data shortcoming, but a reflection of how limited this element's documented range of action is.
It's also worth noting that fluoride is sometimes described as an element the body copes less well without, but it isn't classified as essential to life in the way iron or iodine are — its deficiency doesn't cause a deficiency disease, only increases the susceptibility of teeth to decay.
Where to find it
drinking water (depending on the region) · tea · sea fish eaten with their bones
This material is for information and education. It does not replace advice from a doctor or dietitian. For health matters, consult a qualified medical professional.