Question:
i have a nursing toddler with dental carries. while i know nursing on
demand does not necessarily cause dental carries (none of my friends with
nursing toddlers have had this problem) i wonder if it is contributing to
it. our family has a better than average vegetarian diet, we eat little
sugar, and brush regularly. our dentist has suggested i put flouride on
his teeth 5 times a day. does anyone out there know if there is any danger
in this ? i know he will swallow most of it. my toddler and i are happy
with our nursing relationship and don't necessarily want to stop the
night feedings unless i find that this is causing the damage. anyway, i'd
appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Answer:
Five times a day for a very young child is professional negligence.
Babies should not have any systemic fluoride because the risk of
developing dental fluorosis (an objectionable staining and increased
porosity of the permanent teeth is quite high). Many dental researchers
are cautioning parents not to even use fluoride supplements. The
Canadian Dental Association says supplements should not be given under
three years of age because of the risk of dental fluorosis.
As for the once a day, it's also not necessary especially if you are
using fluoridated toothpaste. Some researchers are now recommending that
children not use fluoridated toothpaste for the first few years because
young children cannot spit it out properly and end up swallowing too
much fluoride. If you do use fluoridated toothpaste, only a tiny smear
which barely wets a few bristles on the toothbrush will do, or you can
try and find a low-fluoride toothpaste. Some of the manufacturers are
starting to come out with one. You'll see more and more in the future
probably because there is a large lawsuit in the UK against a
fluoridated toothpaste manufacturer over fluorosis damage to childrens'
teeth. Colgate has already paid one big sum to one family and 200 others
are standing in line.
i heard about this but it was such a poor interview I didn't undestand it
all. I can't find it at present but I'm sure you can buy a non or low
fluoride toothpaste now in the UK. I'll find it during the Easter holidays
and post the info.
trouble with several of her children.(she has 4 with one on the way)and
she eventually was forced to wean. Floride did little good and she ended
up getting caps for Beths frount four teeth. She has found that there is
a new tooth paste coming out on the market that has been shown to
increase the enamel on small new cavity's and strengthen the unharmed
enamel. It mixes calcium and I believe phosphrus with a floride tooth
paste in a split tube(so it mixes just as you dispense it. If your
interested I'll get the name for you just E-mail me. Linda
