Have you ever visited the dentist for a routine checkup only to be told you need a fluoride treatment? This naturally occurring mineral is found in plants, soil, and water, and can help remineralize your enamel. This strengthens the protective outer layer of your teeth to increase your resistance to common oral issues, like cavities, injuries, and gum disease.
Fluoride is also often added to public water sources to increase a community’s oral health, but many people question why this happens and when it started. If you’re concerned about fluoridated water, continue reading to learn more about the fascinating history!
Why Is Water Fluoridated?
Would you be surprised to learn that adding fluoride to water began as an initiative to address dental discoloration? In 1901, a young dentist named Frederick McKay moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to open a dental practice. Upon his arrival, he realized that many residents had similar brown mottling on their teeth that could become so dark they looked coated in chocolate.
He invited a renowned dental researcher, Dr. G.V. Black, to join him in discovering the cause of this disorder. The two worked together over the next several years and learned that nearly 90% of local children had the stains. However, the darkened teeth weren’t particularly unhealthy; in fact, they seemed to resist tooth decay.
Then, in 1923, McKay traveled to Oakley, Idaho to investigate similar instances of dental mottling and learned that patients exhibiting symptoms had been exposed to a communal water pipeline to warm spring several miles away. He then visited Bauxite, Arkansas, which was owned by an aluminum plant, who also experienced this dental discoloration. The chief chemist at the plant texted local water sources and found they contained higher-than-normal amounts of fluoride.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) began various studies and experiments, and in the late 1930s, it was determined that fluoride levels in water with levels up to 1.0 ppm (parts per million) would not cause the staining that had been seen in patients across the nation, but could help prevent tooth decay.
What is the Impact of Fluoridated Water?
According to the Center for Disease Control, water fluoridation has been described as one of the ten most significant public health advances of the 20th century. After the NIH discovered that small amounts of the mineral would not cause discoloration, they began to test whether trace amounts could provide the benefit of resisting cavities. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, voted to include fluoride in its drinking water to kick off a 15-year study. After just 11 years, it was found that the rate of cavities in children in Grand Rapids dropped by 60%.
Today, adding fluoride to water systems in the United States costs an estimated $1 per person yearly, and helps avoid costly dental treatments to fix cavities!
About the Practice
At Family & Implant Dentistry of Stuart, people of all ages benefit from two dentists who are passionate about helping you build and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. Dr. Broaddus and Dr. Laffita collaborate to provide everything from basic preventive care, including topical fluoride treatments, to more complex procedures. Their welcoming office environment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you’re concerned about cavities, you can request an appointment on the website or call (772) 286-3088.