Calgary Children’s Dental Health Is Worsening Without Water Fluoridation, Study Finds

A recent study has found that the dental health of children in Calgary has worsened since water fluoridation was stopped in 2011. The study compared statistics of dental health in Calgary compared to Edmonton, where water fluoridation remains. Dental health is better in Edmonton, suggesting children in Calgary are at higher risk of tooth decay.

Recent research has found that the oral health of children in Calgary has worsened in recent years when compared to the city of Edmonton. This worsening of oral health has been attributed to Calgary’s lack of water fluoridation, a practice that remains in use in Edmonton.

The findings of the research may reopen the debate about water fluoridation. The results are rather worrying. As a result, parents in Calgary are being urged to take extra care in looking after their children’s oral health.

What is water fluoridation?

Fluoride is a natural mineral, and is a crucial part of modern-day dentistry. It can be found in toothpaste, mouthwash and some foods.

Fluoride (in small concentrations) is added to the public water supply in many countries. As a result, this practice has caused controversy.

Many have suggested that water fluoridation is ethically wrong and poses public health dangers. Because of concerns over excessive fluoride intake and related toxicity, some countries have banned fluoridation [1]. Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, which can result in dark marks appearing on the teeth.

However, research is mainly positive about water fluoridation. Fluoride helps to protect our teeth from bacteria and sugar. Research shows that water fluoridation is effective for protecting the teeth of children, but effectiveness for adults is undetermined [2].

A major study in the United Kingdom found water fluoridation was highly-effective for children. It was linked to a decrease in decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth [3].

Water fluoridation in Alberta

The practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water has existed since the 1940s. The intention is to improve dental health.

Across the province of Alberta, different opinions exist. Edmonton has used water fluoridation ever since 1967. In Calgary, water fluoridation began in 1991, but stopped in 2011.

The city of Calgary made the decision to stop water fluoridation because of economic and ethical concerns. Council members stated there wasn’t enough evidence to justify water fluoridation. However, the council did not consult an expert panel [4].

The Study

Researchers from the University of Calgary conducted a study that compared dental health in Grade 2 children from Edmonton and Calgary. The study will be published in the Journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology [5].

The researchers compared dental records data of 5,000 students in both cities between the 2004/05 and 2013/14 school years [5]. This allowed the researchers to use those born both before and after fluoride cessation.

The results showed that tooth decay has increased far more in Calgary since water fluoridation was stopped, when compared to Edmonton. Edmonton’s scores had also worsened, but not on the same level as Calgary.

Tooth decay can result in pain for the child. Its typically leads to treatment being required, for instance, a cavity filling. As a result, it may also cause poor oral hygiene that leads to problems in later life.

The number of tooth surfaces with decay per child increased by 3.8 surfaces in Calgary between 2004/05 and 2013/14. In Edmonton, the increase was 2.1 surfaces per child [5]. Researchers said that each tooth has 4-5 surfaces.

The researchers suggested that such a difference was significant. They pointed to the lack of water fluoridation in Calgary as having caused this [5]. The study concluded that water fluoridation was a public health benefit [5].

What does this study mean?

The conclusions from this study appear to suggest that there are many health benefits to water fluoridation.

Alberta’s Health Minister Tyler Shandro has confirmed that their office will be reviewing the results of the study [6]. The study’s authors stated that it will be crucial to monitor future statistics and trends [5].

In the absence of water fluoridation in Calgary, it is highly important for Calgary residents to prioritise excellent oral hygiene. This is especially the case for children, who benefit the most from water fluoridation.

Parents in Calgary should provide a balanced diet. They should also limit their children’s sugar intake and ensure they brush their teeth at least twice a day. Using a fluoride-based toothpaste is important. Using the tooth fairy can incentivize children to have excellent oral hygiene (click here to know more). Attending regular check-ups is also vital.

What we can offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and some cosmetic services like tooth whitening.

Any dental problem must be addressed early and can be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting more severe. So, if further treatment is needed after a routine check-up, we give our patients with a clear treatment plan.

The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink, and not smoking also helps.

If you ever need any dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be happy to assist. This can include advice on treating bad breath, reviewing how your diet affects your oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

Our Calgary-based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

Summary

The results of the study show that water fluoridation can be beneficial. Water is not fluoridated in Calgary, so we need to take extra care with our oral hygiene routine. This is especially important for those with children.

We hope that you visit our Calgary-based dental clinic soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website, https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We hope to see you soon!

• [1] Aoun, A., Darwiche, F., Al Hayek, S., & Doumit, J. (2018). The Fluoride Debate: The Pros and Cons of Fluoridation. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. 23(3), p171–180.
• [2] Parnell, C., Whelton, H., & O’Mullane, D. (2009). Water fluoridation. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry. 10(3), p141–148.
• [3] Treasure, E., Chestnutt, I., Whiting, P., McDonagh, M., Wilson, P., & Kleijnen, J. (2002). The York Review – A systematic review of public water fluoridation: a commentary. British Dental Journal. 192(1), p495–497.
• [4] O’Neill, B., Kapoor, T., & McLaren, L. (2018). Politics, Science, and Termination: A Case Study of Water Fluoridation Policy in Calgary in 2011. Review of Policy Research. 36(1), p99-120.
• [5] McLaren, L., Patterson, S. K., Faris, P., Chen, G., Thawer, S., Figueiredo, R., Weijs, C., McNeil, D., Waye, A., & Potestio, M. (2021). Fluoridation cessation and children’s dental caries: A 7-year follow-up evaluation of Grade 2 schoolchildren in Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. (Pre-publication issue): https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12685.
• [6] CTV.ca News Staff. (2011). Calgary council votes to stop fluoridating city water. Available: https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary-council-votes-to-stop-fluoridating-city-water-1.605786. Last accessed: 4th September 2021.