What’s In Your Water?
あなたの水には何が入ってる？
Summer is almost here and when I’m thirsty, there’s nothing I like to drink more than fresh, cold water straight from the faucet. Most patients I ask tell me that they drink bottled water or filtered water. Why, I ask them. NYC tap water is wonderful! When I travel I’m always curious about the taste of different local tap waters. When I visit my relatives in Toronto, the water tastes fine but I have to hold my nose to drink it. It does not smell good. All of my relatives in California have their water delivered to their house. The water in California does not taste good and it does not smell good. I’m sure it’s fine to drink but no one does. My sister’s town in New Jersey uses well water. She uses it to cook and clean but doesn’t drink it. She even buys bottled water for her two precious doggies. She says the well water upsets their stomachs!
Between now and July, water suppliers across the US have to send their yearly report on water quality. These reports which tell us the quality of our water and what’s in it may be mailed to our homes, in local newspapers or even online on the computer. I received my report last week.
As a neighbor, I always check to see how clean my local water is and what the government has found in it. It’s always fine. As a dentist, however, I check for one thing… FLUORIDE!
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including oceans, lakes and rivers. Research shows that fluoride helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making teeth stronger to the acid attacks that cause cavities. Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter, helping repair the early stages of cavities even before the decay can be seen. Over 70% of the population is currently receiving the benefits of fluoride through their drinking water. While teeth are forming under the gums, the fluoride taken in largely from drinking water and other beverages strengthens tooth enamel making it stronger and more resistant to cavities. After teeth erupt, fluoride helps repair (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverse early cavities.
Studies show that with the addition of fluoride to water to a recommended level for preventing tooth decay, at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults can be prevented. In fact, public water fluoridation is noted as the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation as “one of 10 great public health achievements.”
If you or your family drinks filtered or bottled water, you may be missing out on those benefits. That’s because many bottled waters do not contain fluoride. If you want to know if the bottled water you drink contains fluoride, be sure to check the label. Also, if you use a home water filter and bottle your own water, you may be removing the fluoride from your tap water. Check your filter and check your bottled water labels. Find out…. What’s in YOUR water ?（次回は６月第２週号掲載）
〈Keyword〉faucet 蛇口 tap water 水道水 FLUORIDE フッ化物
〈プロフィル〉Dr. Clara Lee ニューヨーク大学歯学部卒業。ニューヨーク大学ブルックデール病院でチーフレジデンス修了。13年以上に及ぶ臨床経験は一般歯科、コスメティック、インプラントを含む。インビザライン認定医。Waterside Dental Care院長として古山医師と共に、多くの日本人患者さんを治療。Dentistryをこよなく愛している。記事提供：Waterside dental Care（Tel：212-683-6260）
