Fluoridation: Good News about Flouride - San Diego

• Fluoride is a natural mineral needed for healthy teeth and bones.
   
• All San Diego tap water has some Fluoride [almost 0.3 part/million] but not quite enough to protect our teeth. Soon 0.5 part/million will be added, bringing it to 0.8 part/million.
   
• The amount of Fluoride needed to protect teeth [less than 1 part/million] is very small: It is similar to:
  
  • 1 drop in a million drops of water
  • 1 inch in 16 miles
  • 1 penny in $10,000
  When drinking water has the right amount of Fluoride in it [Fluoridation] every time we take a drink the Fluoride will help put good minerals back into our teeth.
  
  • All of us have germs [bacteria] in our mouth. These germs like sugar! Remember, in our mouth starchy foods [like bread, crackers, etc.] turn into sugar.
     
  • Together, the germs and sugar make an acid that slowly eats away at the minerals in our teeth--making a hole--a
    Cavity.
    
    
  • Fluoridation is like "Dental Insurance In A Glass!"
    
    
  • This is a safe way to help keep teeth healthy. In the right amount Fluoride:
    
    
  • Does no harm. The fluoride added to our water is safe.
    
    
  • Costs very little for a lifetime of protection.
    
    
  • Helps everyone--all ages--all incomes.
    
    
  • In San Diego our tap water is very safe to drink. Many people make sure of this, day and night.
    
    
  • If you don't like the taste of your tap water, use a carbon-based filter in a refrigerator pitcher or faucet filter. These will not take out the Fluoride. They cost much less, over time, than buying enough bottled water for a family.
    
    
  • Wherever a family or an office must buy bottled water, buy it fluoridated.
    
    
  • Remember: we must still help by brushing & flossing, avoiding sugary or sticky foods, and going regularly to a dentist and dental hygienist.
    
    
  • Enough Fluoride can help stop small holes from getting bigger.