Is water fluoridation still an effective method for preventing dental caries?
ADA’s Fluoridation Facts Short Answer Water fluoridation continues to be a very effective method for preventing tooth decay for children, adolescents and adults. Continued assessment, however, is important as the patterns and extent of dental decay change in populations. Although other forms of fluoride are available, persons in nonfluoridated communities continue to demonstrate higher dental decay rates than their counterparts in communities with water fluoridation. ADA’s Fluoridation Facts Long Answer Numerous recent studies indicate a trend toward decreased decay prevalence in children living in the United States. This trend also has been reported for children in other developed countries. One of several factors that explains these findings is the increased use of fluorides, including water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste. In studies conducted from 1976 through 1987,31 the level of decay reduction achieved through water fluoridation in industrialized countries was: • 30-60% in
