Interest in water fluoridation began in America more than 100 years ago when a Colorado dentist noticed many of his patients had very little tooth decay but brown, mottled teeth. This condition - later termed severe dental fluorosis - has since been found in many parts of the world.
It was realized that the condition was associated with natural drinking water, and testing for trace elements in the water in the 1930s showed that high natural levels of fluoride were responsible for both the dental fluorosis and the reduction in tooth decay.
It didn't take long for scientific investigations to discover that a small amount of fluoride in the water could still protect against tooth decay, without causing significant dental fluorosis. The first trial of artificial water fluoridation began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945, with further trials beginning soon after.
The early studies showed a dramatic reduction in tooth decay with no adverse health effects. In 1953, the first Australian town to be fluoridated was Beaconsfield, better known as the site of the 2006 gold mine disaster. Many other Australian towns and cities followed over the next couple of decades, and by 1977 all Australian capital cities - except Brisbane - enjoyed the benefits of fluoridated water.
Water fluoridation is now practised in many countries around the world, and its use is increasing. Where water fluoridation is impractical, many countries have chosen salt fluoridation as an alternative way of providing the benefits of fluoride to their people.
The only areas in Queensland with water fluoridation are Townsville/Thuringowa, Mareeba, Moranbah, Dalby and Bamaga.
Townsville has had fluoridated water since 1964. Fluoride is added to the treated water at about 0.65 parts per million.
Water fluoridation in Townsville has proved highly successful in reducing tooth decay among residents. A 1996 study showed that Townsville children aged 5 to 12 years had around 45 per
cent less tooth decay than Brisbane children who had not benefited from fluoridation.
Did You Know? |
A Belgian man is said to have the strongest teeth in the world, after pulling two 80-ton railroad passenger cars along the tracks by a rope held between his teeth. This is not a stunt to try. Teeth should only be used for their natural uses; chewing food, speaking and, of course, smiling.
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
