So what the story with the fluoride in the water?

1. Why fluoride is important for your teeth?

Fluoride helps making your teeth more resistant to decay.

It can also speed the remineralization of the enamel, which is the external layer of the tooth.

2. What is a decay and how is it formed?

Decay, or dental caries, or cavities, is a biofilm mediated, diet modulated, multi-factorial, non-communicable, dynamic DISEASE resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues.

It is determined by biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors.

Caries continues to affect more than 90% of the US population. Reducing cavities often involves using fluoride water solutions.

It is the single most chronic disease of childhood.

3. Why do we need fluoride in the water?

Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in many foods and water.

Depending on the area you live, the level of fluoride may not be sufficient to reduce the risk of cavities; therefore some public water systems add fluoride to ensure optimal levels of 0.7mg/L of water.

The benefit of fluoride use, and in particular fluoridated community water supply is well studied and documented.

According to the best available scientific evidence, fluoride in water at the optimal level is SAFE.

• Studies have shown that it reduces tooth decay by about 25% in both children and adults.
• It decreases missed school and work days due to dental pain
• Fluoridated water saves an average of $32 per person a year by avoiding treatment for cavities

4. What are the alternatives to protect my teeth?

• Oral hygiene: brush at least twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste. We recommend that children be supervised until they are 8 years old.
• Diet: many foods contains fluoride, like vegetables, tea, yogurt, cheese…
• Dental examination twice a year.
• Sealants of the groove of the chewing surfaces of the teeth
• In office fluoride varnish application
• Use of mouthwash with fluoride
• Adjunctive therapy to reduce low saliva flow
• Xylitol available as gum, candies, spray.

5. Where can I get more information?

• ADA.org/fluoride
• MouthHealthy.org/fluoridation
• cdc.gov/fluoridation
• americanfluoridationsociety.org