The first historical observation that resulted in the fluoridation of water was made by an American dentist known as F.S. McKay. The dentist noticed that there was an increased incidence of people exhibiting stains that ranged from white to yellow and sometimes brown. He referred to the staining as ‘'mottled enamel.'' The stain was a result of a toxic element in the water. However, the stain was postulated to have positive effects on the teeth as it prevented the development of carriers. In 1931, the department of public health in the US identified that fluoride was toxic in water depending on the amounts. Another observation that led to the fluoridation of water in the United States was the hypothesis that dental carries could be prevented by adjusting the levels of fluoride from negligible amounts to more significant amounts. The effectiveness of fluoridation in the prevention of dental caries prompted its use in the community as the basic public health strategy (Achievement in Public health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries). Fluoride, a naturally occurring element in water, is added to tap water to reduce the incidence of tooth decay. According to Jolaoso et al . (2014), Scientists in the 1930s found out that people living in areas with naturally fluoridated water have a lower chance of getting tooth decay. Studies have also postulated that the addition of fluoride into drinking water reduces the prevalence of tooth decay. The National Health Service asserted fluoride acts to disrupt the process of tooth decay by modifying the structure of enamel so that it develops a resistance to acid attack. The fluoride also reduces bacteria infiltration hence preventing decay. Therefore, I support the fluoridation of water given the fact that it has been proven to stop tooth decay and dental caries using evidential means. So long as safe amounts are added to water, it is a reliable way of solving large-scale water issues.
References
Jolaoso, I. A., Kumar, J., & Moss, M. E. (2014). Does fluoride in drinking water delay tooth eruption? Journal of public health dentistry , 74 (3), 241-247.
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Achievement in Public health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4841a1.htm
