flouride drops?

[mamamoss]

Hi all,

I had a dentist appt yesterday for myself and I asked when I should bring in my youngest for her first appt. The dentist said at 3 years old. But then she asked if I was giving her flouride drops. I haven't been. With my oldest daughter, I was sure the nurses told me not to do that as there's flouride in the toothpaste and that was enough. The dentist said that it's good to give them drops to ensure healthy growth of teeth...the flouride in the toothpaste is just topical and protects the teeth but doesn't aid in their growth.

Any thoughts on this issue? I'm sure it's one of those topics that changes year to year or dentist to dentist.

tia,
s.

[Sunnygirl]

I'm sure there is no harm in it anyway. It's not like we get it in our water.
I grew up where there was flouride in the water and plus we were given little flouride tablets to swish around in our mouths - and my family has great teeth.

[Nicole]

I've heard that if children swallow too much toothpaste, because of the flouride, it can cause white spots on their developing teeth. These spots show up when the adult teeth come in. As far as I know, that is why lots of parents don't even use toothpaste with flouride. We just use a small amount of regular toothpaste (with flouride), which the health unit has said is sufficient. A second opinion from a hygenist or denist would be good though; I've never heard of supplementing children with flouride drops before.

[mt]

after working in a dental office for years this is just one of the topics that depends on the dentist / or doctor.

most now feel that a child will ingest enough toothpaste by having a pee size amount twice a day on their toothbrush. floride is most useful the first few years anyway as the teeth and tooth buds do most of their formation in these years. you really won't worry about florosis (sp), the white spots, in victoria if this is all they are taking since our water is does not have floride in it. i haven't heard what the pediatric dentists are recommending, has anyone else. Both my family Dr and pediatrican told me there was no need for drops if we are brushing with floride toothpaste twice a day. i am still tempted since we grew up with floride in the water and none of us had any decay.

[vj]

I am really surprised that it is suggested giving drops of fluoride to a child!!!. You can find a lot of research that point about toxicity of fluoride.
I will make sure that my child will avoid fluoride.
I am very happy that fluoride is not added to the water in Victoria.

some infor from the internet:

Fluoridation / Fluoride
Toxic Chemicals In Your Water

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Fluoride compounds which are put in water (fluoridation), toothpaste and supplement tablets (including some vitamins) were never tested for safety before approval. Recent independent research by scientists not associated with dental trade organizations has shown the following:


Neurotoxic and Lowers IQ
In 1995, neurotoxicologist and former Director of toxicology at Forsyth Dental Center in Boston, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix published research showing that fluoride built up in the brains of animals when exposed to moderate levels. Damage to the brain occured and the behavior patterns of the animals was adversely effected. Offspring of pregnant animals receiving relatively low doses of fluoride showed permanent effects to the brain which were seen as hyperactivity (ADD-like symptoms). Young animals and adult animals given fluoride experienced the opposite effect -- hypoactivity or sluggishness. The toxic effects of fluoride on the central nervous system was subsequently confirmed by previously-classified government research. Two new epidemiological studies which tend to confirm fluoride's neurotoxic effects on the brain have shown that children exposed to higher levels of fluoride had lower IQs.


A study published in Brain Research shows that rats drinking only 1 part per million fluoride (NaF) in water had histologic lesions in their brain similar to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In addition, evidence was seen pointing to possible damage to the blood brain barrier from extended fluoride exposure. This study was the third in a series of papers published by Varner et al. Brain Research Vol. 784 No. 12 p 284-298 (1998). Results of this recent study and other studies showing significant dangers from low-level fluoride exposure were presented at a recent scientific symposium.


Causes Cancer
The Department of Health in New Jersey found that bone cancer in male children was between two and seven times greater in areas where water was fluoridated. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers confirmed the bone cancer-causing effects of fluoride at low levels in an animal model. A new study has shown that fluoridation of water is linked to uterine cancer deaths.


Changes Bone Structure and Strength
Fluoride gradually builds up in the bones and causes adverse changes to the bone structure. Quite a few studies have shown that fluoridation leads to increases in hip fractures. The tensile strength of the hip is destroyed over time by fluoride ingestion.


Causes Birth Defects and Perinatal Deaths
A toxicologist in the United Kingdom recently found that perinatal deaths in a fluoridated area was 15% higher than in neighboring non-fluoridated areas. The fluoridated area had a higher socio-economic status and would have been expected to have less perinatal deaths. The fluoridated area also had a 30% higher rate of Down's Syndrome. Chile banned fluoridation because of research by the world-reknowned researcher, Dr Albert Schatz, which showed a link to infant deaths due to fluoridation.


Proven Ineffective
Fluoride compounds in water and in supplements do not provide any significant cavity-protecting effects. All of the recent large-scale studies of water fluoridation have shown that there are no positive effects. That is why countries without fluoridation have shown an equal improvement in dental health as those with fluoridation. Even pro-fluoridation scientists admit that there is not any properly-conducted research showing that fluoride supplements help prevent cavities. (Note: check vitamins carefully to be sure they do not include fluoride.)


Impairs Immune System
Independent research has shown that fluoride impairs the functioning of the immune system. In the United States, where toxic fluoride compounds are regularly added to water and given to children since the 1960s and 1970s, we are beginning to see an overwhelming number of people of that generation who are developing chronic immune system disorders.


Causes Acute Adverse Reactions
Several double-blind studies have shown that fluoridated water can often cause acute adverse reactions (in addition to the chronic poisoning effects discussed below). Some of the effects seen in double-blind studies include: gastrointestinal symptoms, stomatitis, joint pains, polydipsia, headaches, visual disturbances, muscular weakness, and extreme tiredness. An enlightening review of a book by one famous and well-respected researcher from The Netherlands who found adverse reactions in double-blind experiments can be read here.


Causes Initial Stages of Skeletal Fluorosis
Fluoride can cause severe skeletal fluorosis at high levels. Chronic, long-term exposure to levels of fluoride commonly found in water and food in the U.S. can cause the beginning stages of skeletal fluorosis including: pains in bones and joints, sensations of burning, pricking, and tingling in the limbs, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, reduced appetite, backache, osteoarthritis, etc. In fact, decades of ingestion of fluoride from water and other common sources can be expected to cause these symptoms in large numbers of people based on calculations of fluoride intake and excretion. (Keep in mind that fluoride is a cumulative poison since it builds up in the body of years.) Very few healthcare practitioners are capable of diagnosing such a condition because healthcare practitioners are not trained to test for or recognize the effects chronic poisoning from fluoride.


Increases Lead and Arsenic Exposure
Fluoride compounds put into water are often contaminated with lead, arsenic and radio nuclides since the fluoride compounds are toxic waste byproducts which largely come from pollution scrubbers of fertilizer plants. A study published in 2000 showed that the dumping of toxic silicofluoride compounds into water ("fluoridation") causes an increase in blood lead levels in children.


Fluoride Causes Osteoarthritis
In a study published in Rhuematology International in 2001, researchers found a link between fluoride exposure and the development of osteoarthritis. The level of exposure that caused osteoarthritis is common in the United States.


Contributes to the Development of Repetitive Stress Injury
A clinical study in New Zealand showed that fluoride ingestion may be a contributing factor in the development of Repetative Stress Injury (RSI) since such ingestion may encourage the development of apatite crystal formation. Elimination of fluoride plus regular supplementation of magnesium appeared to help RSI patients considerably.


Causes Permanent Disfigurement of the Teeth in Many Children
A very large and increasing number of children are experiencing dental fluorosis which is a permanent adverse structural change to the teeth.


Inhibits Key Enzymes
As fluoride builds up in different parts of the body over decades it can disrupt the actions of many key enzymes. This fact has been known for a long time.


Supresses Thyroid Function
Fluoride was given at low levels during the early to mid 20th century as an effective way of supressing thyroid function and treating hyperthyroidism. Articles and research can be found on the Thyroid web page.


Causes Large Numbers of Acute Poisonings
Fluoride is an extremely poisonous substances at exceptionally low doses and has caused a large number of acute poisonings. This is why a poison warning is now required on fluoridated toothpastes sold in the U.S.


Independent Experts Oppose Dumping Fluoride Into Water
Over 1500 professionals at the US EPA, including toxicologists and risk assessment experts voted unanimously to oppose the fluoridation initiative in California because of the health risks involved. See summary or official EPA union statement. Even the Candian Dental Association Consultant and Researcher urged people to avoid drinking fluoridated water.


Unethical
Fluoridation amounts to forced medication of the water supply. Such practices demonstrate a complete lack of ethics on the part of its promoters. Studies as early the 1930s showed extreme hazards to man and the environment due to fluoride dumping and exposure. Companies and organizations involved used the promotion of "fluoridation" as a way to avoid lawsuits due to dumping toxic wastes and later for economic gain. Please read the short history of fluoridation for more detailed information.


Banned in Many Countries
Fluoridation is not legal or not used in the overwhelming number of countries including industrialized countries. Please see Fluoride Status of Countries web page.


Many independent researchers, organizations, holistic healthcare experts and a growing number of dentists who avoid the use of toxic substances are warning their patients to avoid fluoridated water and fluoridated toothpaste and to definately not give children any fluoride since they appear to be more susceptible to the neurological toxicity from fluoride.

If your water department adds toxic fluoride compounds to the water, the best course of action is usually to drink and cook with bottled "spring" water. Carbon filters do not remove fluoride compounds to any significant extent. Avoid putting fluoridated water in humidifiers. Many non-organic juices have large amounts of fluoride from pesticide residues. It is best to juice your own vegetables and fruits from organic produce or go to a health food store to purchase organic juices.

Avoid toothpastes that have fluoride even if the manufacturers claim that the fluoride came from "natural" sources. Even though topical fluoride treatment may have an effect to help remineralize cavities at the early stages, the combination of a healthy diet, proper dental hygiene and saliva can have a similar effect. It is impossible to avoid swallowing some fluoride from fluoridated toothpaste. I have tried various toothpastes and current use the natural Weleda toothpaste with baking soda. I like that fact that it does not contain fluoride or the detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

[Claire]

A Friend of mines a Dentist and he says he usually can tell right away if a new patient comes in if they grew up where the water has floride added. There teeth are usually way stronger. This said I myself have never given floride drop to my kids, not because I'm against it I just never think about it.

[mt]

the benefits of the internet.... each of us can make an informed decision and then be comfortable with it. we don't always have to take what a doctor/dentist or anyone says without researching it and feeling okay with the choices made.

[Caydens mommy]

I am a Certified Dental Assistant and very passionate about this topic. I have held the hand of many small children who's teeth are decayed when it could have been prevented if the parent had given flouride drops or at minimum used a flouridated toothpaste. It is 99.99% of the time the child who's parent did not give the child these drops. It is very true with overuse that the child will get flourosis (the white spots on the teeth). But this is a very small price to pay for the child not to have to go through the pain of having a cavity. Just my two cents

[s5]

I'm giving my kids flouride pills - the chewable kind - the eldest seems to have 'inherited' my teeth. I grew up w/o flouride in the water and have a mouthful of cavities. I did it after discussing with both my dentist and pediatric dentist, and am now giving it to my youngest.

[Solon's Mommy]

[mumsy]

I went to SDM to buy fluoride drops for my son at 7yrs old and the pharmacist recommended OralB mouthwash. Which is only recommended for 6+ years. I just brush it on his teeth after brushing with toothpaste. I am torn about what to do with my 11 month old.
Lori

[jj]

I've added them to my son's drink - one drop only - when he was just getting teeth and now just do it periodically. My dentist suggested no more than one drop since it does discolour the teeth. So far, so good and no cavities.

Jane

[Caydens mommy]

In my office we suggest starting the drops at 6 months. Because baby bottle syndrome (major decay due to breastmilk, formula or juice sitting in the babies mouth once they've fallen asleep). Usually happens by two years of age.

[Solon's Mommy]

[Caydens mommy]

It says on the package, 2 drops a day in any fluid. But ONLY where there is no flouride in the water. And we do not have flouride in the water here in Victoria. As far as soothers, I'm sure it depends on the dentist but at a pediatric conference I went to last year they said it's okay (won't do damage), of course not prolonged use! Hope this kinda helps.