Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Reading Answers

Mar 21, 2024

Fluoridation of public water supplies Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Fluoridation of public water supplies Reading Answers have a total of 12 IELTS questions in total. This topic has 6 questions in which you have to fill up the black choosing appropriate words from the paragraphs.This next 4 questions you have to choose the correct choice from given options. The last 2 questions are choosing the correct choice from given options.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Fluoridation of public water supplies Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies

Water fluoridation is the process of releasing small amounts of fluoride into the public water supply as a way to reduce dental health problems. The process of reducing tooth decay through fluoridation is clearly understood, and research confirms water fluoridation"s effect on limiting instances of tooth decay. Nevertheless, fluoride is not harmless in all quantities. At levels moderately above those desired, it can result in something known as fluorosis, and at very high levels acute fluoride poisoning can occur. Fluoride"s function is to intervene in the demineralisation mechanism of tooth decay. Demineralisation is a process that begins when sugary carbohydrates are eaten, and organic acids are subsequently generated by bacteria within the dental plaque.

When a certain level of acidity is produced (pH in the oral cavity dips below 5.5), the acids waste away the main component of tooth enamel, a substance known as carbonated hydroxyapatite. If this erosion persists for months and years without adequate remineralisation, then tooth decay occurs, and dental cavities form. Fluoride can greatly assist the mouth with the remineralisation of decaying enamel. Fluoridation creates fluoride ions in saliva that can restore some of the lost mineral content from enamel after sugary acids have left the oral cavity. When these ions exist in plaque fluid alongside dissolved carbonated hydroxyapatite, and the pH is higher than 4.5, a fluorapatite veneer covers the dental enamel. This veneer has the benefit of being more acid-resistant than the tooth"s hydroxyapatite, and is formed more quickly than by the natural remineralisation mechanism. Blood plasma transports any fluoride that has been ingested to calcium -rich areas such as the teeth, supporting dental infrastructure from the inside as well.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control has listed fluoridation of the water supply as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. While tooth decay is rarely a threat to mortality, it is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally and affects 60-90 percent of children across industrialised countries. Research suggests that the presence of fluoride in saliva at all times (but in small quantities) is the single most effective preventative measure of tooth decay. Water fluoridation is perfectly geared towards helping to ensure this. Drinking water is the largest source of fluoride for people globally, and evidence demonstrates its efficacy in reducing cavities, particularly among poorer households without regular access to dentists. Although not considered to be an essential ingredient (a substance necessary to perpetuate human life and biological development), fluoride can be considered a nutrient that counteracts harmful processes from lifestyle or environmental factors.

Nevertheless, in doses higher than those desirable, a side effect known as dental fluorosis can occur. Its primary symptoms—pale streaking across the incisors-are considered a cosmetic problem for many people. The key risk period for developing fluorosis is ages one to four, with any likelihood of getting it having depleted by age eight. Young children are therefore encouraged to have their fluoride ingestion monitored-reduction of fluoride in infant formula and children"s toothpaste has assisted this process. Far more serious than mild dental fluorosis, however, yet much rarer, is a condition known as acute fluoride poisoning. This does not happen very often, as it is unlikely that most people would ever come into contact with large amounts of fluoride. When it does happen, it is typically a consequence of water technicians accidentally allowing excess amounts of fluoride into the system, which is then ingested by an unsuspecting public. In one of the worst instances of fluoride poisoning, 262 people became ill and one person died in Alaska in 1992. During 2010 in Asheboro, North Carolina, 60 gallons of fluoride were released into the water supply in 90 minutes; this amount was intended for release over a 24-hour period. These incidents highlight the importance of careful monitoring to ensure public safety.

Not everyone supports water fluoridation. Paul Connett, a chemistry professor from St. Lawrence University, has listed many reasons to oppose the practice. Firstly, he suggests, studies that have tracked the effects of discontinuing fluoridation in communities from Canada, Germany, Cuba and Finland have found that instances of dental decay actually dropped considerably as a result of halting the practice. Secondly, Connett finds that once water supplies are fluoridated it is impossible to control individual doses. This is because some people (manual labourers, athletes, diabetics, and people with kidney disease) drink more water than others, and we also receive goonde from sources outer than top water. Connett also expresses concern for purely ethical reasons, believing fluoridation to contradict the medical ethic of informed consent

Informed consent requires patients to be fully informed about medical operations before consenting to them-fluoridation evades this process. Finally, Connett points to the World Health Organisation"s acknowledgement that fluoride"s benefits are prima achieved topically, that is. aoolied to the surface of teeth. rather than sustemicaliv (ingested).

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 14-19

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN TWO

WORDS from the passage for each answer.

What does fluoridation affect in order to prevent tooth decay.

Answer: DEMINERALIZATION MECHANISM
Supporting statement:“........ This veneer has the benefit of being more acid-resistant than the tooth"s hydroxyapatite, and is formed more quickly than by the natural remineralisation mechanism.........”
Keywords: tooth, mechanism
Keyword Location: para 2, line 9
Explanation: Fluoridation affects the demineralization mechanism of tooth decay by intervening in the process. Sugary carbohydrates lead to the generation of organic acids by bacteria in dental plaque, ultimately causing the erosion of tooth enamel.

What do dental bacteria produce?

Answer: ORGANIC ACIDS
Supporting statement:“.........Demineralisation is a process that begins when sugary carbohydrates are eaten, and organic acids are subsequently generated by bacteria within the dental plaque. ........”
Keywords:organic, dental
Keyword Location: para 1, line 8
Explanation: Dental bacteria produce organic acids as a result of metabolizing sugary carbohydrates, contributing to the demineralization process that leads to tooth decay.

When mouth pH goes below 5.5, what is dissolved?

Answer: TOOTH ENAMEL
Supporting statement:“.........When a certain level of acidity is produced (pH in the oral cavity dips below 5.5), the acids waste away the main component of tooth enamel, a substance known as carbonated hydroxyapatite.........”
Keywords:oral, acids
Keyword Location: para 2, line 3
Explanation: When the pH in the oral cavity drops below 5.5 due to the accumulation of organic acids, tooth enamel, which is mainly composed of carbonated hydroxyapatite, begins to dissolve.

What does fluoridation form in the mouth to restore mineral density in teeth?

Answer: IONS
Supporting statement:“........ Fluoridation creates fluoride ions in saliva that can restore some of the lost mineral content from enamel after sugary acids have left the oral cavity. When these ions exist in plaque fluid .........”
Keywords: oral, cavity
Keyword Location: para 2, line 6
Explanation: Fluoridation creates fluoride ions in saliva, which can help restore lost mineral content from enamel. . It helps in the remineralization process, thereby enhancing dental health.

What is the coating that remineralisation forms on teeth?

Answer: FLUOROPATITE
Supporting statement:“........alongside dissolved carbonated hydroxyapatite, and the pH is higher than 4.5, a fluorapatite veneer covers the dental enamel. This veneer has the benefit of being more .........”
Keywords:covers, benefit
Keyword Location: para 2, line 8
Explanation: The coating formed on teeth during remineralization as a result of fluoride ions interacting with dissolved carbonated hydroxyapatite is called fluorapatite, which is more acid-resistant than the tooth's hydroxyapatite.

Through what mechanism does swallowed fluoride go to teeth?

Answer: BLOOD PLASMA
Supporting statement:“.........Blood plasma transports any fluoride that has been ingested to calcium -rich areas such as the teeth, supporting dental infrastructure from the inside as well.........”
Keywords: calcium, well
Keyword Location: para 2, line 13
Explanation: Swallowed fluoride is transported by blood plasma to calcium-rich areas such as the teeth, where it supports dental infrastructure by aiding in remineralization.

Questions 20-24

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-J, below.

Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 20-24 on your answer sheet.

is the way most people around the world get fluoride.
is a threat to public safety.
can occur as a result of mishaps in adding fluoride to water.
can be regarded as nutritious.
is a widespread health issue in developed countries.
is not as common in infants.
is the best protection against tooth decay.
is required to sustain our material survival and biological growth.
is visible as faint lines across the teeth.
is difficult to achieve amongst poorer people.

Tooth decay

Answer: E
Supporting statement:“.......... While tooth decay is rarely a threat to mortality, it is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally and affects 60-90 percent of children across industrialised countries........”
Keywords:most, prevalent
Keyword Location: para 3, line 2
Explanation: Tooth decay is a widespread health issue in developed countries, affecting a significant portion of the population.

A constant, low level of fluoride in the mouth

Answer: G
Supporting statement:“.........Research suggests that the presence of fluoride in saliva at all times (but in small quantities) is the single most effective preventative measure of tooth decay.........”
Keywords: single, decay
Keyword Location: para 3, line 4
Explanation: A constant, low level of fluoride in the mouth is the best protection against tooth decay, as it supports remineralization and helps prevent demineralization.

Drinking water

Answer: A
Supporting statement:“....... The process of reducing tooth decay through fluoridation is clearly understood, and research confirms water fluoridation"s effect on limiting instances of tooth decay. ..........”
Keywords:tooth, decay
Keyword Location: para 1, line 3
Explanation: Drinking water is the way most people around the world get fluoride, as water fluoridation is a common method used to provide fluoride for dental health benefits.

Dental fluorosis

Answer: I
Supporting statement:“.........Nevertheless, in doses higher than those desirable, a side effect known as dental fluorosis can occur. Its primary symptoms—pale streaking across the incisors-are considered a cosmetic problem for many
people........”
Keywords: across, incisors
Keyword Location: para 4, line 2
Explanation: Dental fluorosis manifests as faint lines across the teeth, primarily affecting the appearance of incisors. It is considered a cosmetic issue for many individuals.

Acute fluoride poisoning

Answer: C
Supporting statement:“....... At levels moderately above those desired, it can result in something known as fluorosis, and at very high levels acute fluoride poisoning can occur. ..........”
Keywords: fluorisis, occur
Keyword Location: para 1, line 6
Explanation: Acute fluoride poisoning can occur as a result of mishaps in adding fluoride to water, posing a threat to public safety if excess amounts of fluoride are ingested.

Questions 25-26 Choose TWO letters A-E.

Which TWO of the following statements form part of Connett"s opposition to fluoridation?

Fluoridation is proven to be poisonous.
Individuals react differently to fluoride.
People may be fluoridated against their knowledge or will.
Drinking water is not the most effective way to fluoridate teeth.
When fluoridation stops, occurrences of tooth decay incr lI only slightly.

Answer: C/D
Supporting statement:“........Connett finds that once water supplies are fluoridated it is impossible to control individual doses. This is because some people (manual labourers, athletes, diabetics, and people with kidney disease) drink more water
than others,.........”
Keywords: atheletics, people
Keyword Location: para 4, line 6
Explanation: Connett opposes fluoridation because he believes that people may be fluoridated against their knowledge or will. He argues that drinking water is not the most effective way to fluoridate teeth, as the dosage cannot be controlled for individual needs