Unfortunately this doesn’t seem to cover the explanation for the process, but I did find an explanation (linked in my other comment)

I tried many years ago but couldn’t readily find an explanation for the process/reasoning, but I did find one now in the video here and it does make sense I also checked Wikipedia and learned more:

All fluoridation methods, including water fluoridation, create low levels of fluoride ions in saliva and plaque fluid, thus exerting a topical or surface effect. A person living in an area with fluoridated water may experience rises of fluoride concentration in saliva to about 0.04 mg/L several times during a day.[3] Technically, this fluoride does not prevent cavities but rather controls the rate at which they develop.

Fluoride’s effects depend on the total daily intake of fluoride from all sources.[51] About 70–90% of ingested fluoride is absorbed into the blood, where it distributes throughout the body. In infants 80–90% of absorbed fluoride is retained, with the rest excreted, mostly via urine; in adults about 60% is retained. About 99% of retained fluoride is stored in bone, teeth, and other calcium-rich areas, where excess quantities can cause fluorosis.[79] Drinking water is typically the largest source of fluoride.

Wouldn’t it be better to give families vouchers for toothpaste and toothbrushes? Or have subsidized lower price ones available?

I never really understood how water briefly swishing through your teeth with some minimal amount of fluoride in it has any effect on the teeth. (edit: explanation in the replies). Fluoridation comes across as a way for industry to legitimize toxic waste instead of having to treat it and dispose of it responsively and ecologically.

Meanwhile we are ingesting it when drinking tap water, along with our pets and all other animals that have access to the water supply, and we wash our hands with it and shower with it, and we ingest it further through crops/food that is grown/prepared with the water.

A lot of this was already covered but here’s what I have:

• Lights/screens:
  • Switching to light sources/bulbs with lower brightness/warmer light temperature (lower Kelvin/K-value) 3 hours before bed. (Light affects our sleep-wake cycle, aka the circadian rhythm. Our brain processes bright light as “the sun is still up so it’s not time to sleep yet”)
  • Gradually dimming electronic screens until bedtime. (Computer: using a program like F.lux and lowering the brightness gradually in the graphics card’s control panel. Phone: with a built-in Night/Dark Mode option that you can schedule or by using an app like Twilight). // Don’t take your devices to the bedroom, or keep them far away from the bed and set them on silent/shut them off.
  • Use a face mask (or tie some other cloth around your eyes), or sleep in a dark room (closed door, covered windows, covered LED lights on electronics, etc.) (note: if you sleep in a closed room make sure to keep it well-ventilated in all other hours)
• Try not to sleep for more than 8 hours, so you’ll always be tired enough the next night.
• Masking noise:
  • Use something that makes a white noise - a loud fan/air purifier, a plugged-in radio that’s not tuned to a working station, a white noise device, etc. (put it next to a window if it’s noisy outside to mask the noise better)
  • Additionally (or alternatively) you can use foam earplugs. Just make sure to roll&squeeze them before putting them in and don’t push them too far, otherwise you might get impacted earwax and have difficulty getting them out.
• Food: Have a light meal 3-3.5 hours before bed and light snacks (like crackers) 1.5-2 hours before bed, to not go to sleep hungry and get distracted by that and to not put the body into overdrive by having to digest a heavy meal, or cause heartburn/indigestion.
• If you sleep on your stomach with your head to the side, you can use a thin and narrow side pillow (but firm) along your torso to support your shoulder on the side that your head is pointing to. (you can also use a thin pillow for your head to not strain your neck/spine - there are ones made for kids if needed)