Fluoridated Water Systems
Now that we are over halfway through the month of February, hopefully you’ve been able to pocket some helpful tips and resources for improving the oral health of children. National Children’s Dental Health month has had us specifically focusing on pediatric dental care. Today we’re talking about fluoridated water in public water systems, which will not only improve the dental health for children, but adults as well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a helpful resource called My Water’s Fluoride (MWF).
“My Water’s Fluoride allows people to learn about their community’s drinking water fluoridation levels. MWF also provides information on the number of people served by the water system, the water source, and if the water system fluoridates its water supply.” — CDC
Drinking water isn’t something we generally think to associate with proactive dental care. However, it can be one of the most common, and cost-effective, ways to regularly improve the state of our oral health. Fluoride works to remineralize the tooth enamel after coming in contact with sugary treats or carbohydrates. It can reduce cavities and pain due to suffering tooth enamel. Fluoridated water provides a consistent source of fluoride to teeth, keeping them strong and reducing tooth decay. In fact, there has been major improvements to the nation’s oral health over the past several decades. Reports show that water fluoridation has reduced tooth decay by 25% in children and adults.
Some Fast Facts
- Nine out of thirteen primary schools in Allen County (IN) have fluoridated water systems as of 2016.
- Four public water systems in Allen County (IN) have a concentrated fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams/liter or higher. This is the level the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends to prevent tooth decay.
- The four PWS mentioned above are: Grabil, Monroeville, Aqua Indiana-Aboite, and Woodburn.
- These combined public water systems reach a population of 28,854 Allen County (IN) residents.
- Dentisse offers a product with fluoride and xylitol to harden teeth and inhibit plaque.
What Can You Do?
Drink water! It’s a simple thing to do throughout the day, and you won’t even realize you’re hard at work protecting your teeth enamel.
Statistics provided courtesy of the CDC and My Water's Fluoride.