Dental News - Study confirms positive effects of fluoridated drinking water

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 8. March 2013

save

ADELAIDE, Australia: Researchers have found new evidence that fluoride in drinking water is effective in preventing dental caries. In the largest population-based study to date, they found that the substance provides dental health benefits to adults, particularly those who have been exposed to fluoride for most of their lives.

The study was conducted at the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at the University of Adelaide’s School of Dentistry. The researchers analysed data from a random sample of 2,270 Australians born before 1960 and 1,509 born between 1960 and 1990, a period during which implementation of water fluoridation increased significantly.

Although it is known that fluoridated drinking water can contribute to the prevention of tooth decay in children, the current study has provided evidence for this effect in adults for the first time, according to Prof. Kaye Roberts-Thomson, the centre’s director. Among other findings, her team found that adults who were exposed to fluoridated water for more than 75 per cent of their life had 30 per cent less tooth decay than those exposed for less than 25 per cent of lifetime.

According to the researchers, the findings on intermediate fluoridation exposure suggest a dose–response relationship. “Those people who have longer exposure to fluoride in water obviously will have a greater benefit,” Thomson explained. “However, even those people who were born before water fluoridation existed have since received some benefit in their lifetimes,” she added.

Data for the study was obtained from the 2004−2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health.

The study was published online on 1 March in the Journal of Dental Research ahead of print.

To post a reply please login or register

Dental phobia: Study confirms positive effect of hypnosis

JENA, Germany: In a new meta-analysis, German scientists have examined the efficacy of various non-drug interventions against psychological stress and ...

New research shows drinking affects oral bacteria

NEW YORK, U.S.: Many people enjoy a drink, and now researchers from the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine have identified that alcohol ...

Third molar extraction may have positive effect on sense of taste

PHILADELPHIA, U.S.: Taste disorders and other neurosensory defects have been reported postoperatively in a number of patients who have undergone extraction ...

Study questions effect of periodontal therapy on hypertension

LONDON, UK: The discussion around a link between periodontitis and hypertension is not new. Acknowledging this and the fact that there is still not enough ...

Study confirms gingival recession increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease

GREIFSWALD, Germany: Periodontitis has been associated with a risk for Alzheimer’s disease in previous studies. The long-term Study of Health in Pomerania...

Drinking tap water with high iron content may stain teeth

MONCADA, Spain: Researchers have found three factors, namely the consumption of water with a high iron content or a high pH level, as well as having a high ...

Study finds regular consumption of stimulants affects saliva

VALENCIA, Spain: Studies on the effects that alcohol, tobacco and caffeine have on the biological and microbiological status of the oral cavity have shown ...

New study examines effects of different anti-cancer therapy on oral health

JERUSALEM, Israel: It has been previously established that adults who have undergone cancer treatment may have dental anomalies. However, no research to ...

Colgate reports water saving campaign is having positive impact

NEW YORK, U.S.: To encourage consumers to save water when brushing their teeth, Colgate-Palmolive launched its turn-off-the-faucet-while-brushing message in...

Seniors’ perception of oral health affects treatment seeking, study says

CLEVELAND, U.S.: Dental Tribune International recently reported on an article that highlighted the significance of oral health for systematic health and ...

New study proves anti-inflammatory effects of Biodentine in vitro

SAINT-MAUR-DES-FOSSÉS, France: With over 500 publications referencing the product on PubMed—a number that is growing every week—Biodentine is one of ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 29 April 2024
12:30 pm EST (New York)