Is Fluoridated Water Good for Children?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have named community water fluoridation on their list of last century’s greatest achievements in public health, and it’s easy to see why. Scientific research has shown that communities that have optimal levels of fluoride in their water have shown to be at least 25% effective in preventing tooth decay in both children and adults.
Fluoride can help to remineralize or rebuild weakened enamel, and it can also reverse early signs of decay. In addition, brushing with fluoride toothpaste provides a systemic benefit by strengthening the surface of the tooth. As beneficial as fluoride toothpaste and other dental products can be, they are just one way to get the fluoride you need. Foods and beverages also provide a topical benefit, because the result of drinking fluoridated water is that the fluoride will become a part of your saliva, which in turn will provide a steady stream of protection.
Fluoridated water is a cost-effective public health measure that can offer protection to everyone in the community for as little as three dollars per person for small communities and an incredible low fifty cents per person for large communities. In 2000 the Surgeon General estimated that an astounding 51 million hours of school are missed due to dental-related illness, but we are fortunate to live in Las Vegas, because Assembly Bill 284 was passed here, which required that fluoride be added to our municipal water supply in March of that same year.
As a Las Vegas dentist and father of three daughters himself, Dr. Hadley knows how important it is for children to have optimal dental health. Fluoridated water in the community is a great place to start, and your children will also need to brush and floss daily regularly, enjoy a balanced diet, and visit the dentist every six months, starting after their first birthday. Call the office today to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Hadley.