You may have heard that the water in your local community is treated with fluoride, but you may not know why. In recent years, this mineral additive has made headlines, with many individuals questioning its purpose as well as its safety. The great news is that not only is public water treated with fluoride completely safe, but it is also extremely beneficial to your oral health! Here’s how.
Why Is Fluoride Added to Water?
The long history of how fluoride came to be intentionally added to public water supplies is quite fascinating. It began when a dentist noticed many of his patients had brown stained teeth that were extremely cavity resistant. Though it took many years for him to determine that naturally occurring fluoride in the water was strengthening his patients’ teeth as well as causing the brown spots, once he did, researchers were able to determine the correct concentration to protect the teeth without causing any side effects.
Today, many public water supplies in the United States are treated with fluoride in appropriate concentrations to pose no health risks. In fact, in communities with fluoridated water, residents enjoy 25 percent fewer cavities than in those that don’t, simply by drinking the water!
Is Fluoride Safe?
In a word, yes. Fluoridated water is completely safe for consumption. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has determined that a maximum amount of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter (mg/L) is safe in drinking water, though this is only a guideline and communities can decide for themselves the exact concentration of their supply. Furthermore, when fluoride is already naturally occurring in a water supply those communities add less to ensure they do not exceed safe amounts.
What if My Community Doesn’t Fluoridate the Water Supply?
For patients in communities that don’t have fluoridated water, patients can still protect their teeth with prescription fluoride supplements from their dentist. These are typically dispersed in tablet form and are available at most pharmacies. If your water supply is not fluoridated and you would like to provide your smile with an added layer of protection, speak to your dentist about a fluoride prescription.
Remember, despite what you may have heard online, fluoridated water is perfectly safe for drinking and can help provide an extra line of defense against cavities. If you have any questions or concerns about this additive, or if you’d like to discuss a fluoride supplement for yourself or your family, speak to your dentist today!
About Dr. Yu
Dr. Annie Yu earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2006 and trained with some of the leaders in dentistry, including Dr. Peter Dawson of the Dawson Academy. Today, she attends a rigorous curriculum of continuing education through Spear Education, the Pankey Institute, Dawson Academy, Seattle Study Club, and the Pikos Implant Institute. She earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and a Mastership (MAGD) in 2020, which is a designation less than 2% of all general dentists have obtained. To schedule an appointment for an exam and check-up at Avant Dentistry, please visit our website or call us today at 240-743-4421.