People have been drinking out of bottled waters for a very long time. And now many houses are also investing in water filter systems, such as Brita. The point is to ensure that water is free of contaminants. But by filtering tap water, people are losing a sufficient amount of fluoride. Your dentist in River Forest, IL talks fluoride and the vital role it plays for oral health.
What is fluoride? It’s a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust. The mineral can be found in certain foods and water.
The importance of fluoride
Fluoride is a natural cavity-fighting mineral, and many studies have shown that people who drink naturally fluoridated water had fewer cavity cases compared to people who drank fluoride-free water. According to your dentist in River Forest, there are two ways teeth can benefit from fluoride:
- The mineral hardens the tooth enamel (first layer of tissue) to help block out cavity-causing bacteria
- Fluoride assists with the development of primary teeth. It can positively affect the enamel of primary and permanent teeth before they even erupt.
Here are some facts you might like to know regarding fluoride and bottled water.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water brands that are sold in more than one state, such as Aquafina, Evian and Fiji
- Manufacturers aren’t required to list fluoride content on a water bottle’s label
- Water bottles with 0.6 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L can use a label that states, “Drinking fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay”
Try to look out for fluoridated water bottles.
Tap water—is it safe?
You may opt for bottled water because you deem tap water to be “unsafe,” but all public water systems in the U.S. follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards and regulations regarding tap water safety. Privately owned wells and individual water systems aren’t under EPA’s control.
Many community water systems contain fluoride, which is a beneficial to your oral health. If you choose to stick with filtration systems and bottled water because of the clean taste, that’s okay to do. Just remember to use a sufficient amount of fluoride each day. Toothpaste, mouthwash, floss and certain foods contain fluoride and can help improve oral health.
If you have any questions regarding your oral health, schedule an appointment with our office to talk to your River Forest dentist, Dr. Villari. For more information about fluoride, you can check out our “Oral Health” tab on our website.