Since the first half of the 20th century, cavities in children have gone down—way down. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that pediatric dentists see about one-third of the number of cavities today compared to the 1940s. And that, according to the ADA, is thanks in large part to fluoridated water.
You’ve probably heard of fluoride before. It’s a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks that releases into the water and air around it. When we ingest it, it re-mineralizes the surface of our teeth and helps make our tooth enamel stronger, harder, and more resistant to decay. That’s a good thing, because weak tooth enamel is susceptible to the acids produced by sugar residue left on our teeth after eating.
For many generations, the only fluoride people received was what was found naturally in the water they drank. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to add larger quantities of fluoride to its public water supply. Fluoridating water quickly became commonplace, and today, about 75 percent of public water supplies in the United States—and 93 percent of public water in Maryland—is fluoridated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls water fluoridation one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century—up there with vaccination, family planning, and recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard.
In recent years, the practice of fluoridating water has met some resistance based on misinformation. The ADA maintains that scientific evidence shows fluoride in water is not toxic, and it is only in massive amounts that fluoride poses health risks. Water fluoridation is a practice endorsed not only by the ADA but also the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Public Health Service, and other agencies.
Although fluoridation makes a big difference in the oral health of both children and adults, good dental practices are still necessary—that means brushing and flossing daily, using an antibacterial mouthwash, going for regular checkups with your dentist, and avoiding tobacco.
