FLUORIDATED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY TO FIGHT TOOTH DECAY

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature on fluoridation of public water supplies, as well as its use in the prevention of dental caries. Material and Methods: The literature was conducted in the databases: PubMed, Portal CAPES Journals, SCIELO, BBO, LILACS and BIREME. Results and discussion: Dental caries remains as one of the diseases that most affect the oral cavity. This is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, leading to localized destruction of dental tissues. Epidemiological surveys conducted in Brazil showed a decline in caries experience, measured by DMFT, in children between 1986 and 1996. Several factors may be responsible for the decline in caries prevalence in Brazil, among them is increasing and universal exposure of humans to fluoride in its various forms of application. Thus, fluoridation of public water supplies is a major public health measure, and as a method of controlling dental caries is the most effective when considering the collective availability. Conclusion: The more often exposure of the population to fluoridated water and fluoride toothpastes has been identified as primarily responsible for reducing the prevalence of caries and the discovery of the preventive effect of fluoride has turned it over the century into the main agent in fighting the disease worldwide. DESCRIPTORS Fluoridation. Dental caries. Fluoride.