Show 11 i cl R HAPPINESS e I OS IS isa a Healthy Mouth I NATIONAL CHILDRENS CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH WEEK H I f R I have seen newspaper articles recently recently recently re re- re- re which say that tooth decay will soon be completely eliminated as a disease disease dis dis- ease problem Is this really true Tooth decay will not be totally totany elimInated eliminated elim elim- Hated at least in the foreseeable future However it can be prevented in large part even today if you take advantage of proven public health measures professional professional pro pro- treatment and complete home care ONE OF the well-established well and most effective decay preventives in n flouri- flouri dation of public water supplies Today more than 92 million people in this nation drink fluoridated water Many communities have had fluoridated water supplies for more than 30 years ears Others have been drinking water which is naturally fluoridated for decades without harmful harm harm- ful effects In Utah there are arc nine communities com corn naturally fluoridated while drinking water has been fluoridated in two communities Helper leper in 1950 and Brigham City in 1966 1960 as well as Armed Forces Bases Dases in Utah The experience in these communities has demonstrated that fluoridation reduces the incidence of decay in children by approximately CO 65 60 65 per cent Its benefits are arc lifelong Results of local studies show benefits from fluoridation cost 20 cents per person per ler son while the average family saves per year in dental bills One half of the time and the cost of dental care results as a of fluoridation IN HELPER Utah studies have shown percent less decay among children as compared to neighboring Wellington Utah Senior High li h School students in fluoridated Preston Utah have per percent percent percent cent less decay than Senior High School students in non fluoridated Logan Logan Lo Lo- gan Utah Fluorides are arc being used in other less effective ways to control decay especially sally lally for people in that do donot donot donot not have fluoridation The American Dental Den Den- tal lal Association recommends fluoride tablets where water supplies arc are not nut fluoridated and although not as effective tive live as water fluoridation they do help to reduce dental decay The use of fluor ito dentifrices are aro also recommended particularly for children Additionally fluoride can be applied directly on child child- rens ren's teeth at periodic intervals in fluoride fluoride fluoride fluor fluor- ide treatments in the dental office and by in brush-in application SCHOOL DISTRICTS are encouraged to provide fluoridated water for school schoolchildren schoolchildren schoolchildren children in communities without fluoridation dation None of these alternate uses of fluoride is as effective as fluoridation of community community com com- water supplies however Scientists are studying a new plastic material called sealants which is applied to tooth surfaces to seal the pits and fissures in teeth to provide protection against tooth decay The pits and fissures fissures fis are arc especially prone to decay STUDIES ES OF the sealants have shown that it appears to form a barrier between between between be be- tween the tooth surface and decay caus ing bacteria which are arc always present in the mouth Preliminary investigation indicates that the sealant may withstand chewing forces in the mouth for as long as a year Because the sealant only protects the chewing surfaces of the teeth we must still rely on fluoridation to protect the remainder of the exposed tooth enamel Scientists are arc studying other methods of preventing decay including trying to isolate the specific bacteria which unite with foods and other debris in the mouth to form decay-causing decay acids EMPHASIS MUST be placed upon proper home care With the use lIse of newer methods of properly brushing and flossing floss ing dental decay and gum disease can be substantially reduced Unfortunately most people will not take the tho time to effectively practice and proven oral cleansing procedures yet those who do realize savings in teeth health and money Individually tailored use of dental floss brush and other den tal tat aids which result in the proper removal removal re re- moval of bacteria plaque is called by dentists a Control Program If f this control is coupled with fluoridation Immense im Im- mense reduction in dental decay arc not cd 1 Even Cn today it is possible to reduce decay decay de de- de cay significantly if you drink fluoridated water practice good oral hygiene at home and see your jour our dentist for regular checkups ONE OF the well established and most effective decay preventives is fluoridation fluoridation tion of public water supplies Today more than 92 million people in this nation nation na na- na tion drink fluoridated water Many corns com have had fluoridated water supplies sup plies for more morn than 30 years ears Others have ha been drinking water which Is naturally nat orally fluoridated for decades without harmful effects In Utah there arc nine communities naturally fluoridated whITe while drinking water has been fluoridated in two communities Helper in 1950 and Brigham City in 1966 as well as Armed Forces Farces Bases In Utah The experience in these communities has demonstrated that fluoridation reduces the incidence of decay In children by approximately CO per cent Its benefits are lire lifelong |