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General letter of support for community water fluoridation

Dear [elected official/water district commissioner]:

For nearly 80 years, leading cities and water districts throughout the United States have embraced community water fluoridation as a valuable health measure that has profoundly improved the oral – and overall – health for millions of people. I urge you to support water fluoridation in our community as well.

Studies consistently show water fluoridation helps protect teeth against cavities regardless of age, income level and other social determinants. Community leaders, health experts and advocates stand behind water fluoridation because they recognize that preventing cavities is far preferable to treating painful tooth decay and oral disease.

Cavities, tooth loss and swollen gums affect people of all ages. For children, uncomfortable tooth decay can influence school attendance, behavior, nutrition, speech pattens, self-esteem and a child’s ability to thrive. Among working adults, rotting and missing teeth can impact employment opportunities, overall health, self-esteem, nutrition and how others perceive you. And for older adults, maintaining good oral health is more important than ever with a greater number of senior citizens retaining their original teeth than prior generations thanks in large part to water fluoridation and other dental care advances.

Treating cavities also can be expensive and intensify health and societal inequities. The lifetime cost of just one cavity is $6,160. And not everyone is able to see a dentist regularly, meaning lower-income families, older adults on fixed incomes and young adults just starting out too often forego care. Providing the right balance of fluoride in our tap water ensures everyone has a fair chance at added protection for their teeth against cavities. Thank you for your time and what you do for our community.

Sincerely,

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