Science & Research
**Fluoride’s Proven Benefits**
- Community water fluoridation reduces cavities by at least 25% in children and adults. Systematic reviews show a 35% reduction in decayed, missing and filled primary teeth and a 26% reduction in permanent teeth among children in fluoridated communities.
- U.S. studies confirm that children living in counties where 75% or more of water is fluoridated have 30% fewer cavities in their primary teeth and 12% fewer in their permanent teeth.
- Adults exposed to optimally fluoridated water for 14 years or more have 11‑12% fewer decayed, missing or filled teeth compared with those without fluoridation.
- Fluoride works by inhibiting demineralization, reducing bacterial activity and promoting the remineralization of enamel. Frequent low-level exposure provides lasting protection across the lifespan.
**Why Dental Caries Remain a Problem**
- Dental caries is the most common chronic disease of childhood; 46% of U.S. youths aged 2–19 have experienced decay and 13% have untreated caries.
- Untreated caries cause pain, infections, missed school days, and impaired quality of life.
- Disparities persist: 57% of Hispanic children experience caries compared with 40% of non‑Hispanic whites.
- Only 72.3% of people served by public water systems have optimally fluoridated water, leaving millions without this preventive measure.
The Criminals responsible for most Oral Health Problems
Acid, Erosion, Alkalinity, Sugar, and Carbonic acid hate you and your Teeth
## Why Dental Caries Remain a Problem
- **Prevalent disease:** Dental caries is the most common chronic disease of childhood; nearly half of U.S. youths aged 2–19 have experienced decay and about 13% have untreated cavities, impacting school attendance and quality of life.
- **Ongoing adult issue:** Decay isn’t just for kids; older adults average at least one new decayed, missing or filled tooth each year.
- **Health disparities:** Cavities disproportionately affect poor and disadvantaged groups(this includes children and adults with special needs)
**The rise in consumption of Acid formulated, sugar added, erosive, and destructive sports and fitness drinks/waters
- **Gaps in fluoridation:** Only about 72% of Americans on public water supplies receive optimally fluoridated water, and many households rely on bottled or filtered water that may have little or no fluoride.
**Fluoride’s Proven Benefits**
- **Childhood decay reduction:** A Cochrane review found that children drinking fluoridated water have about **35% fewer decayed, missing or filled primary teeth** and **26% fewer permanent teeth** than children in non‑fluoridated communities
**Adult benefit:** Adults exposed to optimally fluoridated water for 14 years have **11‑12% fewer decayed, missing or filled teeth**
- **Protects all ages:** Even with widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, community water fluoridation still prevents **at least 25% of tooth decay** in children and adults
- **Mechanism:** Fluoride works by inhibiting demineralization and bacterial enzymes while enhancing remineralization of enamel.
- **Supplement evidence:** In areas without fluoridated water, fluoride supplements reduce caries incidence by **24‑72%** in children, depending on dose and baseline exposure.