People in the UK have their fair share of water fluoridation in an effort to prevent tooth decay and other dental problems. Fluoride is naturally occurring in some places which help people’s access to it much easier. For communities with low fluoride supply, water treatment facilities add fluoride to increase the concentration. These communities are supplied with artificially fluoridated water to supplement the deficit. Water fluoridation has become a controversial issue in the US and is still undergoing much scrutiny. The role of adding fluoride to water supplies go way back in the 1960’s and it has become a way to reach out to communities in keeping their dental health safe from tooth decay and cavities.
Fluoride is a natural occurring element found in the soil, water and plants. The water in the UK has varying amounts of fluoride which depends on the location. This mineral has been proven to prevent the growth of bacteria and helps in avoiding tooth decay. This is the reason why fluoride is added on toothpastes, mouthwash, and other dental health products. Local authorities of different communities decide on whether they add fluoride on their water supply. Fluoridation is done in some areas as a line of defense against tooth decay. The main concern involving fluoridation are the health risks in high amounts ingested in the body. The dental effects called dental fluorosis can cause development problems in children and teeth discoloration. Among other health risks of water fluoridation, there are still no concrete evidences that prove the connection of water fluoridation in water supplies and debates are still going on trials. People should always know that anything in excess is bad for the body and it goes for nutrients, vitamins and minerals like fluoride.
Tooth decay or dental caries is a big health concern in the UK. This has been a common cause for children’s admission to hospitals despite of it being preventable. The acids that bacteria produce attack the enamel or the hard covering of the teeth. The enamel becomes weak and soft especially when plaque starts to develop around the teeth. The sugary foods and drinks also contribute to the acidic environment of the mouth that threatens the ability of the enamel to endure bacterial infections. In severe cases, the tooth would have cavities that would damage the tooth and eventually lead to tooth extraction.
Fluoridation schemes were introduced in the UK as studies, conducted by https://www.24hourdentistinlosangeles.com, showed that communities with enough levels of fluoride in their water had lesser cases of tooth decay. They added fluoride to the water systems in some areas to reduce tooth decay and enhance the population’s dental health.
Like mentioned earlier, there can be naturally occurring fluoride in the water of some areas and some are just added. Public water supplies can have different levels of concentrations and private water supplies can have more than these amounts. The local suppliers of water are responsible of informing the people if fluoride is added or how much of it is added to your water. You can also look it up online to check within your area.