“The government is putting stuff in our water, man!” is a phrase you generally hear used by conspiracy theorists in sci-fi movies, but they are actually right… in a way. The government has been putting fluoride in our public water supplies for over seventy years now, which has helped strengthen the enamel and lower the risk of tooth decay for everyone in communities all across the country. Still, some people are hesitant to embrace fluoridated water. Here are 3 reasons to love fluoridated water!
Fluoride is essential in strengthening your tooth’s enamel, which is a clear mineral that surrounds your teeth and helps protect them from decay, cavities, and infection. Your enamel gradually gets worn down by food debris, plaque, and tartar that builds up in your mouth. Fluoride remineralizes your enamel, allowing it to reform around your teeth.
Water already has a varying amount of fluoride in it naturally, but the level with which it occurs can be inconsistent. When a community fluoridates its water, it’s adjusting the amount of fluoride to the recommended level for preventing tooth decay, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says should be 0.7 milligrams per liter. 0.7 milligrams of a liter is comparable to one cent in $14,000. It’s an extremely miniscule amount!
The cost of treating dental diseases can be a pretty penny. Fluoride helps reduce the risk of developing dental issues for you and your family with every sip of water that you take.
Our dentists are prepared to treat whatever dental issues you may be suffering from. Contact us at our local Austin, TX office at 512-250-9444.