Fluoridation Services: FSA Eligibility

Eligible expenses for Limited FSAs can vary. To find out exactly what your Limited FSA covers, contact your FSA administrator.

What are fluoridation services?

Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride, a naturally occurring element, to a diet or to a system involved in the diet such as tap water (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Fluoride services may involve any aspect of this process, from fluoride treatments at the dentist office, to fluoride supplements for younger children who have limited fluoride in their drinking water, to modifications to home water filtration systems to allow for increased fluoride presence in tap water.

Fluoridation services are useful for providing fluoride, a naturally occurring element that strengthens the teeth and makes the tooth surface more resistant to acid-based damage from bacteria that live in the plaque on the teeth. Fluoridation services can allow for fluoride to be applied in several ways, including topical fluoride, and systemic fluoride.

Topical fluoride is applied directly to the teeth, on their surface, through which absorption occurs. Tooth hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses provide topical fluoride as a type of fluoridation service (American Dental Association).

Systemic fluoride reaches the teeth after being ingested as fluoridated water. Fluoride is absorbed through the digestive system and distribute by the circulatory system and blood throughout the body. Fluoride is then deposited into developing teeth, and also is present in saliva as a continuous topical application.