Principles of Dental Hygiene Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Principles of Dental Hygiene - Essay ExampleCritics of fluoridisation say that past research is biased and outdated. Proponents of fluoridization cite their own research and insist that fluoridation has proven itself useful and safe in preventing dental decay. Both sides have creditable supporters and the conflict has no straightforward solution.With the question of whether fluoridation has a proven health benefit to people, comes the issue of individual rights. in that respect exists argument that the rights of individuals are violated when they are forced to consume fluoridated body of water. Some have gone so far in protest as to acquire their own sources for unfluoridated water. As a give of the deliberate over the effectiveness and health risks of fluoridation, there is a belief that theBy 1992, nearly 60% of the American public consumed water from fluoridated sources. Fluoridation began in the US in 1945 and has since been implemented in almost all(prenominal) major city. The Center for Disease Control (CDC, 1999) lists the fluoridation of drinking water as one of the hint ten advancements made in American public health since 1900. Evidence suggests that ingested fluoride systemically prevents tooth decay while dentition develop. Topical application to mature teeth has also shown to reduce tooth loss in adults. . Fluoride strengthens teeth and makes them much decay-resistant. Fluoride acts on the enamel of teeth. The enamel is made less soluble and plaque-forming organisms have a reduced competency to produce acid. Remineralization also occurs in areas where acids have caused demineralization.The ADA fully endorses fluoridation of community water sources and recommends dietetic fluoride supplements for children aging from six months to sixteen years old living in non-fluoridated areas. Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a health problem that has plagued human kind for centuries. Up until 60 years ago, the change caused by Fluoridatio n 4caries was an inevitable fact of life for most people. The disease very much meant many visits to the dentist where damaged and painful teeth were repaired or removed. Today, primarily as a forget of fluoride, damage caused by decay can be reduced and, in many instances, prevented. Fluorides benefits for teeth were discovered in the 1930s. Dental scientists observed remarkably low decay rates among people whose water supplies contained of import amounts of natural fluoride. Several studies conducted during the 1940s and 1950s confirmed that when a small amount of fluoride is added to the community water supply, decay rates among residents of that community decrease.Although these studies focused primarily on the benefits of water fluoridation for children, more upstart studies demonstrate that decay rates in adults are also reduced as a result of fluoride in the drinking water. Water fluoridation prevents tooth decay in two modes. The first is through aim contact with teet h and the second is by systemic absorption in the body. The most inexpensive way to deliver the benefits of fluoride to all residents of a community is through water fluoridation. All water naturally contains somewhat fluoride. When a