Recently, there has been a significant focus on water fluoridation
and its effects on oral health in the UK. Many studies have
examined the issue due to the resurfaced concerns over water
fluoridation.
The issue started this October 2022 in Australia as a vocal
community argued that water fluoridation was ineffective and
dangerous. According to a Chinese research publication, they
claimed that water fluoridation could affect child development
and cause neurological disorders. This debate spread to different
countries, including the UK, where water fluoridation has been
practised since the 1950s. Some people have argued that the
government should stop water fluoridation in light of the new
evidence.
Water fluoridation is the process of adding fluoride to public
water supplies. The main aim is to reduce tooth decay, a
significant problem in many countries. It is estimated that around
6 million people worldwide have access to fluoridated water,
including the United States, Canada, Australia, and several
European countries.
The Water Industry Act 1991 in the UK protects water fluoridation
schemes under law. It sets a target level of 1 mg of fluoride per
litre of water for a water fluoridation scheme. While this is the
target level, the actual level of fluoride in water can vary
depending on local conditions.
What is water fluoridation?
The main benefit of water fluoridation is that it helps to reduce
tooth decay. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to make teeth
stronger and more resistant to decay. Several studies have
shown that water fluoridation can reduce the number of cavities
in children's teeth, with a 25% reduction compared to areas
without the scheme.
Reduce tooth decay
What are the effects of water
fluoridation?
Water fluoridation has also been shown to be cost-effective.
Studies showed that it has a lower environmental impact than
other tooth decay prevention methods, including fluoride
toothpaste and dental sealants. As climate change becomes an
increasingly pressing issue, water fluoridation could be seen