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 Benefits of water fluoridation
Page content: Water fluoridation helps protect teeth throughout life | Everybody benefits from water fluoridation
Water fluoridation helps protect teeth throughout life
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Fluoride occurs naturally in water, plants, rocks, soil, air and most foods.
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Water fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that helps protect teeth against decay.
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Tooth decay occurs when acid destroys the outer surface of the tooth. The acid is produced from sugar by bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride can limit the amount of acid produced, and more importantly can also repair damage before it becomes permanent. A constant supply of low levels of fluoride in the mouth is best for this––fluoride in your water supply acts like a constant ‘repair kit’ for teeth.
Everybody benefits from water fluoridation
- Water fluoridation is the most effective way to give everybody access to the benefits of
fluoride regardless of age, income or education level.
- Water fluoridation helps protect teeth against decay in people of all ages, from very
young children to the elderly.
- Six-year old children living in fluoridated areas of Victoria experience 36 per cent less
decay in their baby teeth than those in non-fluoridated areas.
- Twelve-year old children living in fluoridated areas of Victoria experience 22 per cent
less decay in their adult teeth than those in non-fluoridated areas.
- Studies have shown that adults benefit from water fluoridation too. Drinking fluoridated
water throughout life provides the most benefit.
- By preventing tooth decay, water fluoridation saves individuals and families money on
dental treatment.
- Water fluoridation results in less time away from school and work because of tooth pain
and dental treatment.
- In the 25 year period following its introduction, water fluoridation was estimated to have
resulted in benefits to the Victorian community of around $1 billion, through avoided
dental costs and saved work and leisure time.
- Water fluoridation gives extra protection against decay even if you already brush your
teeth with fluoridated toothpaste.
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