Which water is best? Ban the bottle and open the tap

You figure it wouldn’t be in the best interests of dentists to support something that could put them out of business. Yet the American Dental Association (ADA) is as gung-ho about community water fluoridation today as when the practice was introduced more than six decades ago.

According to the ADA:

Studies conducted throughout the past 60 years have consistently indicated that fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective in preventing dental decay in both children and adults. It is the most efficient way to prevent one of the most common childhood diseases — tooth decay (5 times as common as asthma and 7 times as common as hay fever in 5-to-17 year olds.

Ever since Grand Rapids, Mich., became the world’s first city to dose its water supply with fluoride for the purpose of improving oral health, dentists have encouraged us to drink tap water. Until about 20 years ago, tap water was the only choice for most of us.

Now that we can have our pick of bottled still or sparkling, melted glacier or California river water, our teeth aren’t as likely to be bathed in enamel-fortifying fluoride. A nice tall glass from the spigot can do wonders for your teeth and for the general health of everyone in town.

Need economic proof? Here’s what the ADA says about the costs:

For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs.

Evidently, not only are those disposable plastic bottles of water a blight on the environment, but in the long run, the costs go far beyond their price tag.

Explore posts in the same categories: Fluoride

Tags: American Dental Association, benefits of fluoride, bottled water, fluoride, Grand Rapids, Michigan, tap water, tooth decay

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