Fluoride plays role in cavity prevention

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring element present in rock formations that when subjected to water flow, like in a stream or lake, breaks up into the water system. The percentage of fluoride in the water depends on the amount being dissociated from the rocks and the volume of water present.

USAF: Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal

A U.S. Air Force service member pours herself a glass of tap water from a break room May 10 at Cannon Air Force Base. The local areas have a higher than naturally occurring fluoride level in their water systems.

Fluoride-containing rocks are not present in all water supplies, meaning, not all naturally-occurring water supplies have fluoride content. In 1936 the U.S. Public Health Service found that the systemic fluoride content in the water system could have positive and negative benefits to individual's teeth.

Since the 1950s, fluoride has been added to municipal water sources as a cavity-preventing agent with much success. Cavity rates in areas where fluoride was added to water that was previously fluoride-free noted a significant reduction in overall cavity rates within those communities.

Research studies have repeatedly demonstrated that in areas where fluoride has been added to the water supply there is a lower incidence of dental cavities observed.

With this said, too much of a good thing can be harmful. The local Clovis and Portales areas have a higher than normal fluoride level in their water systems. While this is significant, the levels are not generally harmful to individuals or their family members.

The main concern is fluorosis, a condition in which too much fluoride is ingested during the time that teeth are forming, which can cause permanent staining and pitting or mottling of the permanent teeth. The age of concern is children between the ages of 3 months and 8 years. Once the teeth have emerged from gum lines, there is no longer a concern for fluorosis.

The 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron provides a low-fluoride tap water at the water plant on base near Building 356 on Engineers Way for all Cannon personnel. The facility removes the fluoride through a process called reverse osmosis and then re-blends the treated water with the local water to arrive at proper fluoride content.

While these fluoride levels should not cause alarm, it should be noted that the amount of systemic fluoride people ingest can come from sources other than our drinking water. Many juices and even some bottled waters contain fluoride, although it may not be listed on the labels.

The main concern for parents in the Clovis and Portales is mixing infant formulas with tap water that is high in fluoride content. This is because many powdered infant formulas already contain fluoride that when added to the local water supply could lead to higher fluoride levels and potentially cause enamel fluorosis.