fluoride for infants, is it OK?

[Anonymous]

I took my DD to her 6 month check up today and her pediatrician recommended to give her regular water (filtered) in a training cup. He said so she can start getting fluoride. Is this common practice? I'll do my google research as well but please advise if you know anything.

[Anonymous]

Yes, any excess fluoride that the body does not need will bind to calcium and be expelled. The fluoride is very important for the formation and health of the baby and adult teeth.

[Anonymous]

Beware of getting too much fluoride at that age, though. Our child has this condition, it is on the rise apparently.

http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/infantsformula_faq.asp#enamelfluorosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

[Anonymous]

We were told water from the sink was fine, but toothpaste was another story and we were to avoid ingesting it. Did the peditrician elaborate when they told you to use water? I think the amount the kids get through water is miniscule.

[Anonymous]

Do you bottle feed or breast feed? If you bottle feed, you are using tap water and the baby is getting enough fluoride through the formula. I wouldn't give supplements, there is something known as too much fluoride - can't too much make your teeth get white spots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, any excess fluoride that the body does not need will bind to calcium and be expelled. The fluoride is very important for the formation and health of the baby and adult teeth.

Make sure you give the correct dosage. It can cause Fluorosis. Not harmful, but not pretty either. Fluoride is great for helping prevent cavities, but will not replace proper dental care (brushing, flossing). I gave my babies fluoride since about 1 month old. Oldest is now getting her perm. teeth, they look great. We only drink bottled water. If you are drinking city water, see if it already has fluoride in it, most cities do. You would not want to double up.

[Anonymous]

pp again. I need to clear up one thing. Fluorosis is not harmful. Fluoride can be fatal if given too much. It usually taste great, keep it away from you children. Children have died in dental offices where people are supposed to know what they are doing, due to an overdose of fluoride.

[Anonymous]

I have a stupid question and I am not being mean. I just want to understand the logic here - if your dr told you to do something, then why not question the dr? Why ask people on DCUM as opposed to the medical professional? I do the same thing OP, and I am not criticizing you. Just wondering why you left the dr's office w/out being clear and came to ask people online?

[Anonymous]

op here. I asked my dr. of course he told me it was ok. I ask here to get a second opinion lets say. A doctor is not the supreme provider of knowledge it is OK to have doubts especially if this is your first child.
My doctor said to give her tap water, We never drink tap water only bottle water and not just any water, only Evian because is the only one with no taste at all. I mostly breastfeed but in the few times I have given her formula I have used Evian water, never tap.

[Anonymous]

It is easier to drink tap water. If you are afraid you might have lead, you can test it very easily. Bottled water is not superior, as shown by last week's news of indpendent tests of bottled water.

[Anonymous]

You need to be sure that the bottled water you are drinking has some fluoride in it. But, if you are using fluoridated bottled water do not use it to mix formula.

Also, enamel fluorisis (sp) is not just a cosemtic issue - it leaves the child's teeth susceptible to tooth decay because of the damaged enamel. All of the permanent teeth that are forming during the time of overexposure are affected. Our child's first set of permanent molars have quickly been disintegrating from tooth decay since they erupted- despite extreme efforts by our dentist and a strict diet and toothcare regimen by our child. In our child, you can see the timeline of the exposure - the oldest teeth were fine, then they progressively worsen, and then we are now starting to see some permanent teeth erupt with no enamel damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to be sure that the bottled water you are drinking has some fluoride in it. But, if you are using fluoridated bottled water do not use it to mix formula.

Also, enamel fluorisis (sp) is not just a cosemtic issue - it leaves the child's teeth susceptible to tooth decay because of the damaged enamel. All of the permanent teeth that are forming during the time of overexposure are affected. Our child's first set of permanent molars have quickly been disintegrating from tooth decay since they erupted- despite extreme efforts by our dentist and a strict diet and toothcare regimen by our child. In our child, you can see the timeline of the exposure - the oldest teeth were fine, then they progressively worsen, and then we are now starting to see some permanent teeth erupt with no enamel damage.

might not be fluorosis. It does lead to decay. teeth are very strong. Also, the perm teeth are formed very eary, if the baby teeth were harmed by fluoride, so would the perm teeth. They are exposed to same thing when taken internally, not just a rinse. You can also ruin the color of the teeth by taking Tetraclyacline as a child.