Fluoride In Community Water

Healthy People strives to improve the health of all Americans by providing science-based 10-year national objectives that are designed as a framework for improving the health of the nation. This disease and prevention plan was launched in 1990 by the Department of Health and Human Services, and contains focus areas including oral health because it is an integral component of overall general health. The significant improvement of oral health over the past five decades is due to prevention and treatment efforts. Included is water fluoridation in community water with its many valuable long term effects studied on oral health. An objective for Healthy People 2020 is, “to increase the proportion of the U.S. population served by community water

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that is released from rocks into the soil, air, and water. All water contains some fluoride, although the amount of fluoride that is necessary to prevent tooth decay is a set amount. Some water can contain too much, and some water can contain too little fluoride for the added benefit to protecting tooth structure. Community fluoridation sets the proper amount necessary in the communities water for optimal results and benefits of the fluoride. Fluoride works by strengthening and rebuilding tooth enamel and protecting the tooth from acids that are put into the mouth while eating and drinking. There are many products that contain fluoride including toothpaste, rinses, and dietary substances, but putting the fluoride into the communities water is the most cost effective way for the fluoride to benefit the people by reducing tooth decay by about

In the 1930’s, scientist discovered the relation of fluoride and tooth decay by testing the waters in different areas and showing results that children that had less fluoride and water intake had higher levels of caries. Many people in this time were effected by tooth decay so the discovery was a great lead to prevention. After much research and scientific evidence, Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first to add fluoride to its community water in 1945. Since then, many cities have opted to add fluoride to its community water with over 75% of the U.S. receiving this benefit now. The CDC named community water fluoridation 1 of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. State funds and technical assistance are available through the Public Dental Health Program for Florida communities with initial efforts and startup costs to get fluoride into their community water systems. The necessary amounts are adjusted by each state with Florida implementing 0.7% ppm fluoride in their water. The necessary amount to prevent tooth decay depends on the states amount of water intake as a whole. Some states ingest more water than others with Florida being one of them because of the heat. The more water the state ingests more frequently, the less fluoride is necessary for caries