In September, experts confirmed that fluoride is safe to add to drinking water, with chief medical officers saying that it would help to reduce the risks of developing dental disease, important when you consider that one in ten three-year-olds in the UK have tooth decay.
You may already know that fluoride is added to toothpaste in order to help support oral health, with tooth decay a major health concern around the world – and one that’s still hugely problematic here in the UK, despite the fact that it is preventable.
Fluoride does occur naturally in water but the amounts vary depending on where you live, which is why it’s added to the water supply in some parts of the country.
In the early 20th century, it was discovered that levels of tooth decay were linked to fluoride levels in drinking water, so schemes were introduced to add this mineral so as to improve dental health. Such schemes have been in operation for over 70 years, with the first in the UK established in Birmingham back in 1964.
Fluoride helps fight cavities by strengthening the enamel on the teeth, along with phosphate and calcium, so that when bacteria starts to feed on the carbohydrates in certain foods, the acid that is then produced won’t start to strip calcium and phosphate from the enamel, which is what leaves teeth vulnerable to decay.
For children, fluoride also helps to support the development of their permanent teeth, keeping them strong while preventing cavities and tooth sensitivity.
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