Cavities, or tooth loss, affect people of all ages and can happen anywhere, even in Show Low. What if, though, there was an easy way to make your teeth stronger and stop cavities right from your faucet? This is where fluoridating the water in the area comes in. You can speak to a Show Low dentist to learn about how fluoride in water will affect your dental health. 

What does fluoride do? 

It is a mineral that can be found naturally in some water sources. It is an effective method to improve tooth health when added to public drinking water in the right amounts.

A lot of studies over many years, funded by groups like the American Dental Association (ADA), have shown that fluoride works in two main ways:

It strengthens the teeth. 

Fluoride helps teeth build strong enamel, the hard layer that covers your teeth and keeps bacteria that cause cavities away. Acid damage and caries are less likely to happen on teeth that have this “shield” on them.

Fluoride can rebuild weak spots. 

Fluoride can help fix early signs of decay by remineralizing enamel that has been worn down by tooth decay, even after the teeth have come in. This process “hardens” soft spots so they do not turn into full-blown cavities. 

Fluoridation of water is a public health success story. 

It is clear that adding fluoride to water has an effect on dental health. Studies have shown that water that has fluoride in it:

• Lowers cavities in kids by at least 25%, which is a big deal for public health when you consider how common cavities are.
• It also helps people by reducing tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent. This is especially important for older people whose roots may be more likely to be uncovered, which makes them more likely to rot.
• The CDC thinks that fluoridating neighborhood water is one of the ten best things that happened in public health in the 20th century. One big reason for this is that it helps a lot of people. 

Addressing safety concerns and finding a balance. 

Even though it works, fluoridating water causes debates. Some worries are about safety and possible side effects.

Is fluoride safe? 

A lot of studies show that drinking water with the right amount of fluoride in it is safe to drink. Health officials figure out the best amount to balance preventing cavities with a low chance of tooth fluorosis, a condition that can seem alarming.

Too much fluoride in the teeth while they are growing can lead to dental fluorosis, which can leave white spots on the teeth. Keep in mind, though, that most cases of fluorosis are mild and do not hurt the health of your teeth.

How to find the balance. 

It is very important to keep the right amount of fluoride in water systems. Some places may have fluoride in the water naturally, but others may need to add it to get the right amount. 

Water fluoridation is a universal dental health solution. 

One of the best things about fluoridating water is that it can reach a lot of people. Unlike mouthwash and other sources of fluoride, everyone in the community benefits, even if they can not afford dental care or get to one.

People with low incomes often have more problems with their teeth, so this is especially important for those areas. Water that has been fluoridated helps close this gap by giving everyone a way to stay healthy.

Fluoridated water is a useful tool, but it can not take the place of good oral health. For the best oral health, you should still brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and go to the doctor for checkups regularly.

Fluoridated water is a safe and effective way to keep your teeth healthy and stop cavities, even in places that are hard to get to. It makes enamel stronger and stops cavities from forming, which is good for public health and makes people smile better.