Final answer:
Fluoride in drinking water is beneficial for preventing tooth decay and is cost-effective, benefiting both children and adults by strengthening enamel. Excessive fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, hence the need for regulating its concentration. The most effective way to deliver fluoride to a community is via water fluoridation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the known benefits of fluoride in drinking water supplies, it is well established that it helps prevent tooth decay. In the U.S., a goal has been set for 80% of the population to have access to fluoridated water by 2020. While bottled water may have fluoride added, it's not the primary source of community fluoride intake. Conversely, an absence of fluoride can lead to higher dental decay rates. It is also essential to balance fluoride levels, as excessive amounts can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a condition that affects the bones and joints.
Fluoride's benefits are not confined to the young but extend to adults, helping to keep tooth enamel strong and healthy. Community water fluoridation is seen as the most cost-effective method to deliver fluoride to all, reducing tooth decay by about 25% in children and adults. However, the claim that communities with fluoridated water have higher cancer rates lacks conclusive scientific evidence, and not all bottled water contains added fluoride. Additionally, while many U.S. communities have access to fluoridated water, some regions, especially in different parts of the world, can have naturally occurring high levels of fluoride that may pose health risks without proper regulation.