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Frequent Consumption of Bottled Water Increases the Risk of Cavities
In recent years, it has become common for schools and many households to be equipped with bottled water dispensers. While bottled water dispensers offer great convenience for daily drinking, the latest research from foreign scientists has revealed a downside: children who frequently drink bottled water (purified water) significantly increase their risk of developing cavities.
According to reports: Researchers at the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health found that in a related study, the number of 14-15 year olds with permanent cavities increased by 71% over six years. The researchers clearly pointed out that this is closely related to the popularity of bottled water and sports drinks in the 1990s.
The reason for this is that ordinary bottled water contains very little or no minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and more importantly, it lacks fluoride, which helps strengthen tooth enamel (the semi-transparent, calcified tissue covering the outermost part of the teeth). This, in turn, greatly increases the risk of children developing cavities.
This is because minerals like calcium and phosphorus, as well as fluoride, are crucial for promoting tooth growth and maintaining dental health. Calcium and phosphorus are the primary building materials for teeth. About 99% of the body's calcium is concentrated in bones and teeth. Whether in infants, children, or adolescents, if the body's calcium needs are not met, or if the ingested calcium cannot be absorbed and utilized for various reasons, it will affect the strength of the teeth.
Teeth can become loose due to a lack of calcium, making them more susceptible to corrosion by bacteria in the mouth, which leads to cavities. The fluoride in fluoridated water can penetrate the enamel on the tooth surface, forming a fluorapatite substance that is acid-resistant, thereby strengthening the teeth, fighting bacteria, and protecting the oral cavity.
The human body contains fluoride in various tissues, but it primarily accumulates in the teeth and bones. This is also confirmed by epidemiological surveys: in countries with a higher incidence of cavities, the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia is also higher.
After discovering this, many countries began adding appropriate amounts of fluoride to tap water, allowing people to protect their teeth simply by drinking. Of course, too much fluoride in the water is not good either, as it can cause dental fluorosis, which is also detrimental to dental health. China stipulates that the fluoride concentration in drinking water should be less than 1.0 mg/L.
Experts point out that calcium and fluoride are essential minerals and trace elements for the human body, and water is an important, and in some cases the primary, source for the body to obtain these substances. Therefore, experts suggest that parents should limit their children's excessive consumption of bottled water and prioritize drinking tap water.
Schools should also create conditions as much as possible to allow students to drink clean, hygienic boiled water, helping them ingest essential minerals and trace elements from their drinking water to ensure the health of their teeth and bodies.