Private Well in Wildwood? Fluoride Facts for Kids

Do Wildwood homes on private wells get fluoride in their water?

In Wildwood, a home on a private well may have fluoride in its water, but you cannot know without a test. Homes that use a private well do not get a yearly water report from a utility, so no one mails you a fluoride number. CDC says “the fluoride content of well water can be determined only through laboratory analysis.”

The City of Wildwood’s groundwater page says its groundwater resource is “estimated to serve over 3,500 households within the community.” The page describes work that began in August 2007, so treat that number as an older estimate. It still tells you that many Wildwood families drink from wells, not from a public system.

Why does a well need its own fluoride test?

Fluoride occurs naturally in rock and soil, and the amount varies from one place to the next. Your well draws from the ground under and around your own lot. Your neighbor’s well may draw from a different layer.

A public utility reports its fluoride level each year. A well owner has to ask for the test. That is the only way to see your own number.

How do I get my well tested?

Follow these steps:

1. Call a state-approved or accredited water lab and ask for a fluoride test. Many basic well panels leave it out.
2. Ask your local public health department where to send the sample. CDC says that office “can tell you where to have your home well water tested.”
3. Follow the lab’s bottle and collection rules exactly.
4. Keep the written result. Bring a copy to your child’s dental visit.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also points readers to its “My Water’s Fluoride” page for public systems and says, “For more specific information, contact your local water district.” That page covers public systems, not private wells.

What does a fluoride number mean for my child’s teeth?

Your dentist, not a web page, should read the number with you. Here is the general picture from CDC. CDC says “drinking water needs to contain 0.7 mg/L of fluoride to reliably prevent cavities,” and “if your drinking water contains less than 0.7 mg/L, speak to your dentist.”

Too much fluoride during the years teeth form can change how enamel looks. This condition is called dental fluorosis. CDC says it only develops in children while teeth are forming under the gums, up to about age 8. A lab result helps your dentist weigh both sides for your child.

We do not know the fluoride level of any Wildwood well. This post does not say your water is too low or too high. Only your own test can show that.

What can I do for my child’s teeth while I wait for results?

Keep the daily basics in place. They help whatever your well contains.

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste in the right amount for your child’s age.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals. This lowers tooth decay risk.
• Keep regular checkups. Your dentist can look for early cavities and talk about fluoride varnish or other steps.
• Tell the dental team that your home uses a well. If you drink mostly bottled water, say so too.

Compare this with homes on public water. Our post Does Wildwood tap water have fluoride? covers the numbers a public supplier reports. For the wider debate about fluoride in Missouri towns, read Some Missouri towns are ending fluoridation. Our page on kids’ dental care explains more about cavities and fluoride.

Next step

Learn how our dentists care for children on our dentistry for kids page. To book a visit and bring your well test result, call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment. The office is open Monday to Thursday and closed Friday to Sunday.