Home / Preventive Dentistry / Water Fluoridation
We have had many people in the practice ask me about Water Fluoridation. They are unsure about it, how it affects them and how it works.
Firstly, fluoride is naturally occurring. When ingested by drinking fluoridated water or added topically by tooth brushing, the fluoride helps stabilise the mineral content of bones and teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride acts in a number of ways to strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to tooth decay. Fluoride stops the development of tooth decay and can also make enamel more resistant to acid attacks. Drinking fluoridated water several times a day can give your teeth a quick fluoride treatment.
In 1953, Beaconsfield near Launceston became the first Australian town to be fluoridated, and all Australian capital cities except Brisbane followed in the 1960s and 70s. In 1964, Townsville became the largest Queensland city to fluoridate its water supply, and studies since have shown children in Townsville to have significantly fewer cavities than children in Brisbane.
Studies over the last 50 years have shown conclusively that fluoride strengthens teeth against decay without causing harmful effects. Major health authorities across the world have consistently supported water fluoridation and continue to do so.
Here in Sydney we have had water fluoridation for over 40 years and it has served our community well by assisting in maintaining dental health to us all.
