Fluoride for a child under 2?? Pressure from dentist.

[robynholly]

My FIL is a dentist and is mad that my ped said not to give my 19 month old fluoride until he was 2. Should I be given it now? Or never? What is the deal with fluoride?

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by robynholly

Should I be given it now? Or never? What is the deal with fluoride?

Never.

http://www.fluoridealert.org/

Fluoride Research Center

Fluoride the Battle of Darkness and Light, by Mary Sparrowdancer

[JessicaS]

Flouride is a personal decision just like many other parenting decisions. I do use flouride but my family has bad enamel.

My children's dentist said that children should not have flouride until they can spit.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030900.asp

[robynholly]

Thank you so much for the info.

[RomanGoddess]

I'm interested in the subject of flouride treatments, as my six-year old daughter is due for her (first ever!) dentist appointment very soon and the dentist will no doubt recommend a routine flouride treatment.

Originally Posted by Mirzam

Never.

http://www.fluoridealert.org/

Fluoride Research Center

Fluoride the Battle of Darkness and Light, by Mary Sparrowdancer

These sites all deal with flouride in water. What about flouride treatments directly on teeth?

[carolinagirl1]

I would not give a child flouride if you are not certain that they can spit it out. Children should absolutely not ingest flouride. After that, it becomes very controversial, and I would take a look at the links provided and make a decision that you feel comfortable with.

[carolinagirl1]

[QUOTe=These sites all deal with flouride in water. What about flouride treatments directly on teeth?[/QUOTE]

I would be more concerned about systemic flouride (that in water), as it has the potential to deposit in other areas of the body, than topical flouride applied directly to the teeth for remineralization...although I can't comment on the amount of flouride that might be absorbed systemically through the oral mucosa (inside of the mouth), because I just don't know.

FWIW, we use non-flouridated water for drinking but we use toothpaste that contains flouride for remineralization of our teeth.