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.