What is water fluoridation? How does it prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is present in water. Utilities add fluoride to adjust the natural concentration of the water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health. The three primary agents used in drinking water fluoridation are sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate and fluorosilicic acid. Fluoride’s effect is topical. When small amounts of fluoride are maintained in the mouth in saliva and dental plaque (the film that adheres to tooth enamel), it keeps the tooth enamel strong by preventing the loss of important minerals.
