March 05, 2013

Adding fluoride in water is beneficial for for adults too

FLUORIDE cuts tooth decay in adults of all ages, a University of Adelaide-led international study has found.

The world-first population study has uncovered the strongest evidence for adding fluoride to water sources.

The director of the university’s Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Professor Kaye Roberts-Thomson, said the results add to evidence that fluoride in driking water benefits the dental health of children.

“By looking right across the Australian population, we now have good evidence that fluoride in drinking water is effective in preventing tooth decay in adults,” Professor Roberts-Thomson said.

The study used data from a random sample of 3800 Australians aged 15 and over.

“We’ve known for some time that fluoridated drinking water can prevent tooth decay in children, but this is the first time that research has conclusively shown this in an adult population,” she said.

The researchers found adults with more than a 75 per cent lifetime exposure to water fluoridation have up to a 30 per cent reduction in tooth decay compared to those with less than 25 per cent lifetime exposure.

The study found those born before water fluoridation existed had benefited from its addition to drinking water.

The study, published in the Journal of Dental Research today, follows controversy surrounding MLC Ann Bressington after she shared a “Wanted” poster on her Facebook page, which said Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek had committed crimes against humanity by allowing fluoride in the water.

Prof Roberts-Thomson said that, given that controversy, it was important to know that evidence was stacked in favour of long-term exposure to fluoride in drinking water.

Australian Dental Association president Dr Karin Alexander said, “The ADA continues to be dismayed with the scaremongering from fringe groups that lack consideration of the . . . scientific evidence . . . of the significant benefits for dental health that occurs from the fluoridation of water supplies.”

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/adding-fluoride-in-water-is-beneficial-for-for-adults-too/story-fndo1z0b-1226591092577