Many Americans are wary about water fluoridation, mainly due to a lack of knowledge about what exactly is water fluoridation. Although it sounds like a contamination of our water with harmful chemicals, it is the exact opposite. Fluoride is found in all groundwater and oceans without any human interference. Water fluoridation is simply adjusting the amount of fluoride in the water to a level that will prevent tooth decay. It is completely natural; think of it as when salt is fortified with iodine or when vitamin D is added to milk. Not only have scientists have been studying this practice for the past 70 years and have found it to be safe and effective, but numerous organizations have endorsed this practice. The American Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, the World Health Organization, and more have all encouraged water fluoridation and have preached the benefits.
The benefits range far and wide, but there are three main advantages to water fluoridation. The first is the prevention of tooth decay. Dental problems are huge among children, costing them time away from school and costing the parents a pretty penny. Water fluoridation has been shown to prevent at least 25% of tooth decay in both children and adults. Cavity protection is also a huge benefit. Despite the plethora of fluoride products available, such as fluoride toothpaste, water fluoridation is still shown to be effective. Cavities are almost an inevitable part of society nowadays considering all the soda and sugar available, so anything that helps prevent them is good. Lastly, it saves you money. By gaining the benefits of water fluoridation, you have less dental problems, meaning that you can avoid painful procedures.
Just because you benefit from water fluoridation does not mean that you should not be going to the dentist and practicing good dental hygiene. You should schedule check-ups for every six months and brush at least twice a day, plus floss. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, call Chicago Smile Design to set up an appointment today!
Courtesy of: American Dental Association