Submitted by Dr. Jeff Reynolds.
Brushing, flossing and regular trips to the dentist keep our smiles healthy and happy – that, we know. But what about the water you brush with and drink? Using fluoridated water will help your smile more than you think.
First of all, what is fluoridated water? Almost all water has some amount of naturally occurring fluoride but there must be enough of it to have an impact on oral health. Water fluoridation is the process of balancing levels for optimal teeth strengthening, which is a recommended concentration of 0.7 milligrams per one liter of water. This is what bonds weakened enamel in teeth to prevent decay.
For more than 75 years now, communities across the U.S. have been drinking fluoridated water – and the results are clear. Since that switch, studies have shown a reduction in cavities of 25 percent. The result means not only healthier smiles but lowered dental costs for individuals and families as well.
Although about three quarters of Americans live in communities with fluoridated water, only 56 percent of Washingtonians live with fluoridated water. And the lack of access isn’t spread across the state evenly – the lack of fluoridated water disproportionately impacts rural, low-income, and underserved communities – which are already at greater risk for medical and dental disparities.
Fluoride is so important, the Centers for Disease Control named it as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Drinking just one pint of fluoridated water a day is what children need to be protected from tooth decay.
One added benefit is fluoridated tap water is cost-effective. For every $1 spent on water fluoridation, the average person saves $38 on dental procedures, according to the American Dental Association.
While fluoridated water may seem like a no-brainer, many continue to not have access to it. If your community does not have access to fluoridated water, consult your dentist on other options such as prescription fluoride toothpaste or oral supplements at your next regular checkup.
For more information about your oral health, visit Delta Dental of Washington’s blog.
Jeff Reynolds, DMD is a Delta Dental of Washington member dentist and serves as the Dental Care & Dental Director for Community Health Care.
Your story about Fluorinated water. About seeking a perscription from your dentist for fluoride toothpaste. Questions? Aren’t Can’t I already buy over the counter fluoride toothpaste? Will the dentist perscription toothpaste be covered by one’s insurance? If not who can afford to buy such an expensive toothpaste if not covered by insurance? So your savings by doing this diminishes too.
I think we’ve been through this, thank you Dr. Reynolds; and put to a vote, thoughtfully decided NO THANKS. Education, oral care, brush, floss and fluoride-enhanced toothpaste are available for all. Lakewood is fortunate to enjoy abundant water as pure and free of added chemicals as public health concerns will allow. I’m grateful for that every time I turn the tap.
I rarely disagree with Bob; however, the Lakewood VOTE FAVORED floridation. It was NOT voted down. The anti-floride folks religeously attended the LWD Board meetings and the 12 or so had lots to tell the LWD (believe it or not)!! In the end, the LWD declared the vote to be “advisory only” and did not follow the favorable vote for floridation by implimenting it. With no vote we did get chlorine added to our rather good groundwater source from some 30 wells from multiple aquifers (for the most part – pfas and other issues notwithstanding). Lakewood United sponsored a debate on this subject also during this time so folks could be more fully informed.
My wife and I paid our dentist to provide floride to our kids for about 100 times what our cost would have been if the LWD would have provided this basic public health benefit from our excellent public water supply.