To date, many of the ways of controlling tooth decay involve the use of fluorides. Either systemically via fluoridated water and tablets, or, topically, with fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthrinses. There is now evidence that the prevalence of dental caries is declining in communities with unfluoridated water, as well as in those with fluoridated water. This phenomenon may be related to an increase of fluoride in the food chain; the unintentional ingestion of fluoride-containing dental health products; and the increasing contamination of the total environment with fluoride emissions and solid wastes from many industries. The apparent usefulness of fluoride as a preventive against dental caries does not mean that unnecessary exposure to the element should be tolerated. Fluoride at very low concentrations is phytotoxic and harmful to livestock; and in man, excessive intakes of fluoride over many years may lead to a well-defined disorder--skeletal fluorosis. In addition, a number of recent studies have suggested that fluoride may be genotoxic.