Salt

Fluoridated salt works in the same way as fluoridated water in helping to reduce tooth decay. Fluoride works in at least two ways to help prevent tooth decay.

Firstly, when a tooth grows and is in the mouth it becomes covered in a thin film of germs called dental plaque which cause tooth decay. When fluoride is in the plaque it slows down the decay process and also speeds up the saliva's ability to repair the damage caused by the plaque. This is fluoride's most important action against tooth decay. Secondly, fluoride affects the germs in plaque slowing down their ability to attack the tooth.

Fluoridated salt is produced in factories where measured amounts of sodium fluoride and salt are thoroughly mixed together. It can also be made by spraying a solution of potassium fluoride onto the refined salt. Fluoridated salt is then distributed for sale in shops and supermarkets.

Fluoridated salt is only slightly more expensive than non-fluoridated salt to produce. In some countries it receives a small subsidy to equal, or be slightly cheaper, than non-fluoridated salt.

No food produced in the UK contains fluoridated salt. It is possible some food made in the Caribbean or South America and sold in the UK may contain fluoridated salt, as it is the only type of salt available in these countries.

Salt fluoridation is legal throughout the European Community.

Most medical authorities in the UK are opposed to fluoridated salt on the grounds that it may lead to people consuming more salt. However, in countries that have used fluoridated salt for several decades, the average salt consumption has actually decreased. Only around a fifth of our salt consumption comes from domestic shop-bought salt. So any change in the amount we buy is unlikely to have any effect on our total consumption.

The advantages of fluoridated salt are that is cheap, effective, safe and allows people the choice of whether to use it or not.

Whilst some medical authorities believe fluoridated salt could be damaging to health as it may encourage some people to eat more salt, countries that have used fluoridated salt for several decades, have not found this to be true.

This is the addition of fluoride to salt. The amount added will help to protect against tooth decay without causing any harm to anyone using it. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation for communities where water fluoridation is not possible.

Salt fluoridation first began in Switzerland in 1955 and it is now estimated that fluoridated salt is available to nearly 200 million people worldwide, including Europe, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is the preferred method of fluoridation on mainland Europe and is widely available in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic and Slovakia.