You probably know that toothpaste helps prevent cavities because it contains fluoride. However, did you know that your community drinking water is probably fortified with this important mineral as well? For over 75 years, people in the US have been drinking fluoridated tap water. While some people are concerned that this is a bad thing, numerous studies indicate that there is a wide variety of benefits to this tactic. Read on to discover five reasons why fluoride in drinking water is good for the health of your smile.
1.) Prevents Tooth Decay
Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease? Thankfully, fluoride is the easiest and most effective way to combat cavities. Even though there are plenty of dental products that offer this important mineral, the CDC reports that community water fluoridation is the most cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all.
2.) Protects Smiles of All Ages from Cavities
Of course, tooth decay isn’t just a problem for children. In fact, researchers estimate that 95% of Americans will have developed several cavities by the time they’re 65. Studies indicate that fluoride in community drinking water systems has reduced tooth decay by 25% in both children and adults.
3.) Demonstrably Safe & Effective
70 years of scientific evidence consistently shows that fluoride in drinking water is safe and effective. As such, community water fluoridation is recommended by nearly all health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
4.) Lowers the Cost of Caring for Your Smile
Roughly 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost every year due to dental-related illness. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and reduce the likelihood of a distracting or serious issue that interrupts daily life. What’s more, the average lifetime cost per person to fluoridate a water supply is less than the cost of one dental filling!
5.) Fluoride is Naturally Present in Water
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can usually be found in most water sources. However, there’s not enough present to help prevent cavities. Community water systems can adjust the fluoride in their drinking water to a recommended level to help prevent tooth decay. It’s very similar to how other foods and beverages are fortified, such as milk with vitamin D, orange juice with calcium, and bread with folic acid.
The CDC has named community water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements in the 20th century. Keep your smile happy, healthy, and cavity free by drinking a glass of fluoridated tap water regularly!
About the Author
Dr. Karl Arakelian is dedicated to helping the smiles of Bradford, MA and the surrounding communities stay beautiful and intact for a lifetime. With over 30 years of experience, he firmly believes that great preventive care is the foundation for better oral health and an improved quality of life. He encourages all his patients to come in for their routine checkups at least twice a year so dental issues can be caught as early as possible or prevented altogether! To learn more about the benefits of fluoride, he can be contacted via his website or at (978) 373-0901.
