Overview
Neighborhood water fluoridation is a cornerstone technique for prevention of cavities within the U.S. It’s a sensible, cost-effective, and equitable means for communities to enhance their residents’ oral well being no matter age, schooling, or earnings.1
CDC named fluoridation of consuming water certainly one of 10 great public health interventions of the 20th century due to the dramatic decline in cavities since group water fluoridation began in 1945.
The way it works
Nearly all water accommodates some naturally occurring fluoride, however often at ranges too low to forestall cavities. The advisable fluoride focus in consuming water (additionally referred to as the optimum degree) is 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.2 That is about equal to three drops of water in a 55-gallon barrel.
Neighborhood water programs add fluoride as wanted to succeed in the optimum degree. Communities additionally may take away fluoride if the pure degree is simply too excessive.
Fluoridated water bathes tooth with a low degree of fluoride all through the day. This helps strengthen a tooth’s floor, making it extra immune to decay.
Do you know?
Meals and drinks are sometimes processed in communities which have fluoridated water. This extends the advantages of water fluoridation to individuals who stay exterior the group. This secondary profit known as the halo (or diffusion) impact.
What the analysis exhibits
Research proceed to point out that widespread group water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves cash, each for households and the well being care system.
Ingesting fluoridated water retains tooth robust and reduces cavities by as much as 25% in kids and adults. 34This ends in much less mouth ache, fewer fillings or tooth pulled, and fewer missed days of labor and college.
Communities of 1,000 or extra see a median estimated return on funding (ROI) of $20 for each $1 spent on water fluoridation. The ROI for group water fluoridation will increase because the group measurement will increase, however even small communities lower your expenses.5 Communities served by fluoridated water save a median of $32 per particular person a yr by avoiding therapy for cavities.5
What CDC is doing
CDC works to enhance the oral well being of the nation by encouraging the efficient use of fluoride merchandise and group water fluoridation.
What you are able to do
Use fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water whether it is accessible the place you reside. Fluoride’s safety towards cavities works in any respect ages.
In case your consuming water just isn’t fluoridated, ask your dentist, household physician, or pediatrician in case your youngster ought to take an oral fluoride complement, akin to drops, tablets, or lozenges. Go to a dentist often for checkups and cleanings.