Snoqualmie Public Works Director Dan Marcinko shared some eye-opening statistics in his portion of the annual Town Hall meeting. Those numbers had more to do with cavities in your teeth than holes in your streets.

Marcinko frequently takes calls from residents who want fluoride in their water — and want to know why the city won’t put it in. He can only reply that it’s a matter of cost, and city surveys show that a majority of residents — 55 percent — don’t want to pay $4 a month for the additive. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention, water fluoridation prevents tooth decay, and is one of the “10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Snoqualmie isn’t the only Valley city that doesn’t fluoridate its water. Carnation and North Bend don’t use the chemical, either.

How much of a difference does fluoride make? While most popular toothpastes contain fluoride, and children get annual fluoride treatments at their dentist, folks and children who don’t see a dentist regularly or practice good dental hygiene have much to gain. Dentists see a big difference in the teeth of children who grew up in fluoridating communities.

So, if you want fluoride in your water, consider writing elected officials and contacting local water departments. If you live in Snoqualmie and have an extra $3.85 a month, you could also vote “yes” on the water question in the 2010 citizen survey.