Study: Fluoride in Water Still Effective, But Benefits Waning

A recent study suggests that the long-standing public health practice of adding fluoride to water systems may no longer be as beneficial as it once was. With the widespread use of fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwashes, the benefits of water fluoridation in preventing tooth decay appear to have diminished. However, researchers caution against stopping fluoridation, emphasising that it still plays a significant role in dental health.

Reduced Impact of Water Fluoridation

According to the study, prior to the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste, adding fluoride to water supplies reduced tooth decay by an average of 2.1 teeth per child. 

However, in studies conducted after 1975, this reduction dropped to 0.24 fewer decayed baby teeth per child. 

This indicates that while water fluoridation still provides benefits, its impact has decreased over time.

Despite these findings, health experts maintain that water fluoridation remains an essential public health measure. 

It is especially beneficial for individuals who may not have access to fluoride-containing dental products or routine dental care.

The research, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, compared data from over 157 studies that evaluated tooth decay in children from communities that add fluoride to their water supplies versus those that don’t. 

The findings indicate that while fluoride once reduced tooth decay significantly, the benefits have lessened since the introduction of fluoride-fortified toothpaste in the mid-1970s.

Concerns and Support for Fluoridation

In recent years, several U.S. communities have opted out of adding fluoride to their water, often citing medical freedom and concerns over its potential health risks, such as affecting children’s IQ levels. 

A federal judge recently urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen regulations on fluoride use, although no concrete evidence has been found to deem fluoridated water unsafe.

The American Dental Association and other major health organisations continue to support water fluoridation, highlighting its role in reducing cavities by up to 25%. 

Experts argue that while fluoride in water is no longer the sole line of defence against tooth decay, it remains a valuable preventive tool in public health.

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