Fluoridated Tap Water Has Great Benefits for Older Adults, Research Shows

Researchers at Indiana University, under the lead of Gerardo Maupomé, B.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, have determined that older adults reap greater benefits from fluoridated tap water than children. Even those without dental insurance will be able to keep their teeth way into their adulthood, because the fluoride aids in the prevention of tooth decay.

It has been known for more than half a century that fluoride is a good measure in the prevention of tooth decay. As a result fluoride has been added to American public water for many years. The majority of Americans reap the benefits of this public service sporting healthier teeth as a result.

Many studies have been conducted to measure the benefits of the water fluoridation. However, the studies mostly focus on children and maybe young adults. The Indiana University study focuses on all age groups: children, adults, and older adults. The scientists explored whether the need for measures of tooth decay repair and the costs related to this kind of dental work was reduced in communities where residents had access to fluoridated public water. All study subjects had dental insurance and therefore access to proper dental care.

The scientists determined that all three groups derived benefits from the fluoridation. The number of dental fillings needed in these communities was lower than in communities without general access to fluoridated water. However, the older adults reaped the greatest benefits as lower rates of tooth decay translate into lower rates of tooth loss.

The scientists point out that while the study only included subjects with dental health insurance, the findings are also relevant for those, who do not have dental insurance. Especially older people, usually in their retirement age, often don't have dental health insurance. Therefore, tooth decay prevention is a high priority for this age group. Having healthy teeth, even better being able to retain ones own teeth, is also an important factor in overall health maintenance.

In conclusion, it can be said that the addition of fluoride to public water is a health investment that each community should make as people of all ages can reap the benefits. In the long run, this small investment will result in an overall healthier population with the resulting lowered costs a community has to pay for other public health services.

The study report has been published in the fall issue of the Journal of Public Health.