I recently read an article that I want to share with any bottle-feeding mothers out there. It is concerning fluoride in the local water supply. Babies that are fed formula mixed with water that contains fluoride may receive too much fluoride.
In November the American Dental Association released a statement stating their concern about the amount of fluoride that infants and toddlers are receiving in their bottles. The State Department of Health and Human Services is asking the FDA to look into the matter.
Instead of helping teeth grow stronger too much fluoride is actually damaging. It causes teeth that are under the gums and still forming to discolor. The discoloring can range from small white spots to pitting and major staining.
Occasional consumption of fluorinated water is actually helpful. The problem arises when formula is mixed with water containing higher levels of fluoride. For adults and older children the problem isn’t as serious because they don’t drink as much of the water as bottle-feeding babies do and need more fluoride.
Obviously in this case breast milk is best because it does not contain fluoride and will not result in teeth discoloration. But the American Dental Association recommends that “if liquid concentrate or powdered formula is the primary source if nutrition, it should be mixed with water that contains little or no fluoride.” This recommendation is just for babies ages birth to twelve months.
For older children getting too much fluoride is also dangerous because it can discolor their permanent teeth that are forming. The ADA recommends that children under the age of two use non-fluorinated toothpaste. For children between the ages of two and six parents should help their child when brushing and make sure that they spit the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it. They also do not recommend that young children use fluorinated mouthwashes, unless recommended by a dentist.
So be careful how much fluoride your baby and young child are receiving.
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