Why You May Not Be Getting Enough Fluoride
Fluoride is an important component in your oral hygiene routine, especially for children when their teeth are still growing. But depending on where you live, if you drink bottled water, or have a home water treatment system, you may not be getting enough fluoride.
Public Water Supply
Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven effective at preventing tooth decay by strengthening the tooth's enamel, or outer layer. Fluoride can be naturally occurring in well water and other natural water supplies, but because most public drinking supplies are treated, the mineral is not present.
Because the dental community has proven the importance of fluoride, most cities add it to the public water supply in an amount that equals about 1.4 milligrams per liter. This amount is regulated and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Recently, fluoride has come under some scrutiny and it is being argued that too much fluoride can cause problems and may not be as beneficial as once believed. Because the fluoridation of municipal water supplies is voluntary, some cities are choosing not to fluoridate their water. To find out if your city adds fluoride to the water supply, call your water company.
Bottled Water
Just as fluoride levels in public water supplies are regulated by the EPA, fluoride levels (if applicable) in bottled water are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). If bottled water companies choose to add fluoride to their product, it must be stated on the label in the nutrition data.
However, most bottled water companies do not add fluoride to their product. According to the International Bottled Water Association, over 20 companies produce bottled water with fluoride; but that's a pretty small corner of the market in the multi-billion dollar bottled water mega-industry.
With a generation that views tap water with disdain and suspicion, more bottled water is being consumed and consumers are missing out on the important benefits of fluoridated water. If your family drinks bottled water almost exclusively, ask your dentist if you need a fluoride supplement or consider switching bottled water brands to one that adds fluoride.
Home Treatment Systems
For savvy consumers who know they can get that bottled water taste at home for a fraction of the price, home water treatment systems are gaining in popularity. Going "green" by not adding plastic bottles to the already problematic landfill situation and taking advantage of free public water supplies certainly has an appeal.
But home treatment systems, especially very good ones that use reverse osmosis, remove everything from your drinking water - including the added fluoride. If your dentist prescribes more fluoride for you or your family, they may recommend supplements or tablets that can be added back to your filtered water.
Dentists have long recognized the benefits of getting fluoride systemically from drinking water. But skepticism and consumerism is driving fluoridated water in the other direction, resulting in many people not getting enough fluoride for optimal oral health.
Public Water Supply
Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven effective at preventing tooth decay by strengthening the tooth's enamel, or outer layer. Fluoride can be naturally occurring in well water and other natural water supplies, but because most public drinking supplies are treated, the mineral is not present.
Because the dental community has proven the importance of fluoride, most cities add it to the public water supply in an amount that equals about 1.4 milligrams per liter. This amount is regulated and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Recently, fluoride has come under some scrutiny and it is being argued that too much fluoride can cause problems and may not be as beneficial as once believed. Because the fluoridation of municipal water supplies is voluntary, some cities are choosing not to fluoridate their water. To find out if your city adds fluoride to the water supply, call your water company.
Bottled Water
Just as fluoride levels in public water supplies are regulated by the EPA, fluoride levels (if applicable) in bottled water are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). If bottled water companies choose to add fluoride to their product, it must be stated on the label in the nutrition data.
However, most bottled water companies do not add fluoride to their product. According to the International Bottled Water Association, over 20 companies produce bottled water with fluoride; but that's a pretty small corner of the market in the multi-billion dollar bottled water mega-industry.
With a generation that views tap water with disdain and suspicion, more bottled water is being consumed and consumers are missing out on the important benefits of fluoridated water. If your family drinks bottled water almost exclusively, ask your dentist if you need a fluoride supplement or consider switching bottled water brands to one that adds fluoride.
Home Treatment Systems
For savvy consumers who know they can get that bottled water taste at home for a fraction of the price, home water treatment systems are gaining in popularity. Going "green" by not adding plastic bottles to the already problematic landfill situation and taking advantage of free public water supplies certainly has an appeal.
But home treatment systems, especially very good ones that use reverse osmosis, remove everything from your drinking water - including the added fluoride. If your dentist prescribes more fluoride for you or your family, they may recommend supplements or tablets that can be added back to your filtered water.
Dentists have long recognized the benefits of getting fluoride systemically from drinking water. But skepticism and consumerism is driving fluoridated water in the other direction, resulting in many people not getting enough fluoride for optimal oral health.
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