Drinking Fluoridated Water Helps Reduce Tooth Decay for Kids

According to a recent study, fluoride in water is “unquestionably beneficial” in reducing tooth decay for minors.

Those who took part in the study started at ages 5 to 10, but were researchers got in touch with them again almost a decade later prior to their 18th birthdays.

It is difficult to measure individual fluoridated water intake from when someone is born, through to their fifth birthday. So, for this research, scientists looked at the past housing records and the level of fluoride in the drinking water for each postcode. From here, scientists could predict fluoridated water exposure for individuals in the first 5 years of their life.

Using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, researchers could evaluate the emotional and behavioural growth of participants between 3 and 16. The Behaviour Inventory of Executive Functioning was used to provide data regarding the mental processes and any dysfunction impairment in the children.

After data collection and analysis, those leading the study came to the conclusion that children’s emotional and behavioural growth up to the age of 5 is not caused by exposure to fluoridated water. Furthermore, there was no detectable difference between those who did or did not drink fluoridated water.

Brian O’Connell, president of the International Association for Dental Research, said that “water fluoridation is unquestionably effective in preventing dental caries”.

“This study is an important addition to the body of literature documenting the safety of water fluoridation.”

“The IADR recently reaffirmed its support for water fluoridation as this public health measure has a high benefit/cost ratio and benefits deprived communities the most, thus reducing health inequalities.”

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