National Children's Dental Health Month 2020 Focuses on FluorideFebruary is an important month for dentists, parents, and children everywhere. (No, not because of Valentine’s Day.) February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! This year’s slogan is:

“Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!”

There’s a reason we have fluoride in our public water, water that comes from your faucet. As it turns out, this is one of the best methods for getting the recommended amount of fluoride. There are some important benefits gleaned from having fluoride in the water as well.

Prevents Tooth Decay

There are many reasons why fluoride in our water is a good thing. Perhaps the biggest, most widely known reason is that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay in children is a common problem. According to the American Dental Association, an estimated 51 million school hours have been lost due to dental-related health issues. Fluoride protects teeth by acting as an extra layer of defense for the teeth, helping fight back against acid.

Protects Against Cavities

It’s true; fluoride helps prevent cavities–and not just in children, but in people of all ages. Nobody likes getting a filling, so you may as well drink more tap water to help fight off cavities!

It’s Safe

It’s hard to argue against facts, and the facts of fluoride in our drinking water show, for the last 70 years, that adding fluoride to the water is indeed safe, as well as effective. Seven decades is a long time, and for fluoride to be studied for this long and still found to be safe and effective, you can be sure that there is no reason to avoid it.

 

Protecting your teeth involves more than simply brushing and flossing. By drinking tap water, you are getting both hydrated and teeth protection. It’s a double-win, so you might as well go for it! For more information on fluoride in drinking water, the American Dental Association has put together a book that you can find for free online. This is a great resource for National Children’s Dental Health Month and for any time!

If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, please visit us online! We look forward to seeing you!