4 replies to this topic

[babcock]

Ok, I know that the fluoride debate is pretty up in the air but I cam across this article on Science Daily today and thought I would share it for any parents out there, or just to generate some interesting debate.

http://www.scienceda...00120085354.htm

Firstly the article comes off saying this:

Parents should use toothpastes that contain fluoride with a minimum concentration of 1,000 parts per million to prevent tooth decay in their children, says a new report.

and this

Researchers for the Cochrane Oral Health Group, based at the School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester, have previously shown that fluoride toothpastes reduce dental decay by 24% on average compared to non-fluoride products.

but then they say this:

But the authors, in a second related study, suggest that parents concerned about the risk of fluorosis -- the discolouration or mottling of the teeth caused by excessive fluoride ingestion -- should consult their dentist to discuss the benefits and risks.

and this:

The report suggests that brushing a child's teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride before the age of 12 months may be associated with an increased risk of developing mild fluorosis.

So does this article really conclusively say anything? IMO it seems it does a pretty good job of fence sitting.

I guess one thing that it does point out is that if your child is using a toothpaste that has fluoride levels of less than 1k ppm they might as well not use it at all as the benefits are negligible at those levels.

[M4Y0U]

Children toothpastes vary from 100ppm to 1400ppm of fluoride. For a children to get fluorosis they would need to ingest huge amount of fluoride.

''But the authors, in a second related study, suggest that parents concerned about the risk of fluorosis -- the discolouration or mottling of the teeth caused by excessive fluoride ingestion -- should consult their dentist to discuss the benefits and risks.''

They have no reason to be concerned unless they use adult toothpaste with huge amount of fluoride and if their children swallow the toothpaste a lot. Monitoring your child and telling him not to swallow the toothpaste is the best way to prevent such improbable fluorosis.

''The report suggests that brushing a child's teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride before the age of 12 months may be associated with an increased risk of developing mild fluorosis.''

I would use baby toothpaste on a baby because of the increased risk of accidental toothpaste ingestion but I still i don't think there is too much to worry about since you do the job and just be sure to rinse properly. Really improbable again that they ingest high amount of fluoride everyday.

I say this is another article based on science and fiction. What's the big deal with fluoride anyway, i mean, to avoid tooth decay you just avoid getting too much bacterial acids on your tooth.

Best regards,
M4

[eternaltraveler]

''The report suggests that brushing a child's teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride before the age of 12 months may be associated with an increased risk of developing mild fluorosis.''

overall I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about baby teeth. They only need to last a few years. By the time they're six they should know not to swallow toothpaste.

[lunarsolarpower]

What's the big deal with fluoride anyway, i mean, to avoid tooth decay you just avoid getting too much bacterial acids on your tooth.

Easier said than done. Most often a child receives their initial oral fauna from their mother within the first few weeks of life. In fact this is why it is so important for expectant mothers to have their oral disease thoroughly under control before the child is born. Dental caries is an infectious disease.

''The report suggests that brushing a child's teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride before the age of 12 months may be associated with an increased risk of developing mild fluorosis.''

overall I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about baby teeth. They only need to last a few years. By the time they're six they should know not to swallow toothpaste.

While that sounds like a good thought you actually have to be concerned about the permanent dentition from the get go. The permanent first molars have already begun the process of calcification by birth and they are followed by the permanent central incisors which begin calcifying at 3-4 months. Often times if someone experienced a significant illness between birth and 2 years it will be very evident by defects in their adult teeth even though they don't begin erupting until 6-7 and continue to erupt until the wisdom teeth come out between 17 and 21. Dental development is actually quite a protracted process. The roots of the third molars (wisdom teeth) aren't fully formed in some people until 25.

Fluoride is very important to get right in developing children. Some would rather error on the side of causing mild fluorosis which may be unsightly but will ensure that the teeth are quite resistant to erosion. However ideally it should not be necessary to induce fluorosis to achieve strong caries-resistant teeth. The AAPD has a great review article on fluoride therapy for children.

[VegaSinclair]

I tend to get children's toothpaste for my 2-year-old. I think it's Colgate (it has Dora on it). We make sure you spits out all the toothpaste and we put very little on her toothbrush. I read many conflicting reports on fluoride in toothpaste and in our tap water. I wish they would come out with conclusive evidence and either stop putting fluoride in water or continue doing it if it's safe.