Drinking fluoridated tap water is good for your overall and oral health. Here are five facts that support water fluoridation as safe and beneficial.
- Prevents tooth decay. Fluoride remains the most efficient way to prevent cavities and oral disease – so much so that the CDC declared fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the last century.
- Helps people of all ages and income levels. Studies show that drinking water with optimum levels of fluoride reduces cavities by at least 25 percent in children and adults. Another study found that older adults living in areas with fluoridated water are more likely to have all of their natural teeth Water fluoridation is especially beneficial in underserved communities, where access to oral health care may be limited.
- Is proven and effective. Water fluoridation is one of the most studied health measures. With more than 56,000 research papers and studies, few public health topics have been researched as thoroughly as community water fluoridation. More than 100 trusted health and scientific organizations, as well as the U.S. Surgeon General and local dental and medical providers, stand behind water fluoridation.
- Is a cost-effective public health tool. Preventing disease is preferable to treating an ailment. It also is less expensive. For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in potential dental treatment costs, saving families, businesses and taxpayers money.
- Is natural. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring element found in groundwater. Similar to how vitamin D is added to milk or salt is fortified with iodine, community water fluoridation is the process of ensuring recommended levels of fluoride is added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay.
Oral Health Watch
4 hours ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
9 hours ago
#DYK tooth decay is largely preventable? Proven-effective strategies like access to regular dental visits, brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and community water fluoridation can help kids and adults avoid the physical discomfort and burdensome cost of cavities. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
10 hours ago
Thank you, Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington, Seattle Children's, and caring volunteer providers for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
10 hours ago
💯 Arcora Foundation. Oral health care needs don't go away just because coverage does. The estimated 250,000 Washingtonians in need of dental care to either pay out of pocket, delay preventive care and/or forego necessary dental treatment, leading to:
🤒 Needless pain and suffering
... 💵 Burdening patients with costly care
🏥 Straining hospital emergency departments and our health care system
💪 Compromising individual and community health
#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Is it important for both parents and kids to have access to preventive oral health care? 💯 Parents who model good oral health habits make it more likely for children to adopt these practices from a young age. This proactive approach can help prevent future dental problems, missed school days due... to pain, and potential long-term health issues. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Is it important for both parents and kids to have access to preventive oral health care? 💯 Parents who model good oral health habits make it more likely for children to adopt these practices from a young age. This proactive approach can help prevent future dental problems, missed school days due... to pain, and potential long-term health issues. #teethmatter