fluoridation of drinking water

English - English

Definition of fluoridation of drinking water in English English dictionary

addition of fluoride to drinking water in order to reduce tooth decay

Related Terms

fluoridation of water

Addition of fluoride compounds to water (see fluorine) at one part per million to reduce dental caries (cavities). This practice is based on the lower rates of caries seen in areas with moderate natural fluoridation of water and on studies showing that sound teeth contain more fluoride than cavity-prone teeth and that fluorides help prevent or reduce dental caries. Fluoridation decreases the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth in children (which increases if fluoridation is stopped), but it has provoked controversy in some cases. Excess fluoride may cause tooth mottling (a problem of appearance only) and, in higher doses, bone abnormalities. Fluoridation also helps prevent rickets in infants and children and helps the thyroid maintain a normal basal metabolic rate

Hyphenation

fluo·ri·da·tion of drink·ing wa·ter

Turkish pronunciation

flôrıdeyşın ıv drîngkîng wôtır

Pronunciation

/ˌflôrəˈdāsʜən əv ˈdrəɴɢkəɴɢ ˈwôtər/ /ˌflɔːrəˈdeɪʃən əv ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ˈwɔːtɜr/