Final answer:
Fluoride helps to rebuild and strengthen the tooth's surface, preventing cavities. Water fluoridation is a cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fluoride has been proven to protect teeth from decay. Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when a person eats sugary foods. This acid eats away minerals from the tooth's surface, making the tooth weaker and increasing the chance of developing cavities. Fluoride helps to rebuild and strengthen the tooth's surface, or enamel. Water fluoridation prevents tooth decay by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride. By keeping the tooth strong and solid, fluoride stops cavities from forming and can even rebuild the tooth's surface.
Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride found in water to achieve optimal prevention of tooth decay.
Fluoridation has been identified as the most cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all, reducing tooth decay by 25% in children and adults.