what form of fluoride to give - Page 2

[rlee*]

i respect anyone's decision to do what feels right for them and their family.  just be informed.  i personally feel babies are too young for toxic chemicals, their systems are too pure and fragile.

http://fluoridealert.org/

[Snapdragon]

after thinking it over a lot, I have decided to stop using the fluoride toothpaste for ds for now- and to find a "toddler toothpaste" that is safe to swallow and doesn't have fluoride. I may once in a while use the fluoride toothpaste for him, but the thought of harming him w- the fluoride is not a good one so I want to avoid it!

Can anyone recommend a good toothpaste to use for now that would be safe to swallow for my 1 yr old?

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by Snapdragon 

after thinking it over a lot, I have decided to stop using the fluoride toothpaste for ds for now- and to find a "toddler toothpaste" that is safe to swallow and doesn't have fluoride. I may once in a while use the fluoride toothpaste for him, but the thought of harming him w- the fluoride is not a good one so I want to avoid it!

Can anyone recommend a good toothpaste to use for now that would be safe to swallow for my 1 yr old?

We use

http://www.uncleharrys.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/48_56/products_id/530

or

Spry brand below... has xylitol. 

http://www.vitaminlife.com/product-exec/product_id/62047/nm/Spy+Infant+Tooth+Gel+Strawberry-Banana+Flavor

[P.J.]

We use Logona brand for kids, but I don't know if that's available in the US.

Another good one I am sure you can get in the US is Weleda for kids. It even says on the box it's safe to swallow.

[Snapdragon]

I think the one I just got yesterday actually is Logona- I have to look closer- it is a fluoride free one for kids and it is from Germany, I got it at the health food store.  IT tastes okay I guess. I also picked up a silly strawberry toms of maine fluoride free to try- but I don't know if I want ds to get used to that flavor over the mint stuff, whatever- now I have to figure out baout this xilitol stuff which seems to be in the non fluoride pastes.

[P.J.]

I did some research into xylitol, and all I found was that it's sweet and actually good for teeth. Since its relatively newly popular, I reckon it'll take a while until the "anti" research (true or not) emerges.

Anyone else know if xylitol is bad in any way? I think most of the natural toothpastes have it in there.

[chattyprincess]

http://askdrellie.blogspot.com/ 

an amazing dentist with an amazing treatment plan that she has recomended for years. We follow her system competely.

[P.J.]

Originally Posted by chattyprincess 

http://askdrellie.blogspot.com/ 

an amazing dentist with an amazing treatment plan that she has recomended for years. We follow her system competely.

Semi off topic, but: the way they put all the dentist's comments in caps made it look like she WAS YELLING HER ANSWERS. They could've used bold or italics to differentiate her answers from the interview questions.

[ASusan]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

I did some research into xylitol, and all I found was that it's sweet and actually good for teeth. Since its relatively newly popular, I reckon it'll take a while until the "anti" research (true or not) emerges.

Anyone else know if xylitol is bad in any way? I think most of the natural toothpastes have it in there.

There is a sign at our health food store saying it is toxic for dogs.

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

I did some research into xylitol, and all I found was that it's sweet and actually good for teeth. Since its relatively newly popular, I reckon it'll take a while until the "anti" research (true or not) emerges.

Anyone else know if xylitol is bad in any way? I think most of the natural toothpastes have it in there.

 

There is a sign at our health food store saying it is toxic for dogs.

Sorry... I cannot figure out the multi- quote.

It is toxic... period.  And honestly, there isn't enough research on it, IMHO.  My gut says no. 

If I cannot give it to my dog, why in the heck would I want my kid to have it, KWIM?   Choose your battles, right?

That is why I am a fan of what I originally posted.  Ingredients that I can dig. 

http://www.uncleharrys.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/48_56/products_id/530

[Snapdragon]

hmmm. ,,, I wonder if those two types I got have xylitol? I have to look at them closer- they are advertised for kids. ugh! there is also a colgate toddler toothpaste- I wonder how safe that is.

[P.J.]

Originally Posted by Xantho 

Sorry... I cannot figure out the multi- quote.

It is toxic... period.  And honestly, there isn't enough research on it, IMHO.  My gut says no. 

If I cannot give it to my dog, why in the heck would I want my kid to have it, KWIM?   Choose your battles, right?

That is why I am a fan of what I originally posted.  Ingredients that I can dig. 

http://www.uncleharrys.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/48_56/products_id/530

Where did you hear that it's toxic? A link would be much appreciated. I am not trying to say it's not toxic....I just couldn't find anywhere saying that and I want to be as informed as I can. I know what you mean, that if there isn't enough research either way, we can't just assume it's safe. I do get that. However, for example with toothpaste, as well as many food products, it seems like every other sweeteners is proven either toxic or very bad for the body. What to choose then?

As for the thing about dogs, well, they are very different creatures than humans and loads of things are toxic to dogs and not humans (like chocolate), and some stuff that dogs eat (their own poo and vomit, filthy water) would make us very sick or kill us. So, for me, I can't conclude it's toxic for humans just because it is for dogs.

I am very curious, however, if there's any evidence that xylitol is dangerous at all for babies or adults. It is in DS's toothpaste, and I occasionally chew gum with xylitol.

[Snapdragon]

as far as I could see the toms of maine fluoride free kids paste doesn't have xylitol but I may have not read closely enough

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

Where did you hear that it's toxic? A link would be much appreciated. I am not trying to say it's not toxic....I just couldn't find anywhere saying that and I want to be as informed as I can. I know what you mean, that if there isn't enough research either way, we can't just assume it's safe. I do get that. However, for example with toothpaste, as well as many food products, it seems like every other sweeteners is proven either toxic or very bad for the body. What to choose then?

As for the thing about dogs, well, they are very different creatures than humans and loads of things are toxic to dogs and not humans (like chocolate), and some stuff that dogs eat (their own poo and vomit, filthy water) would make us very sick or kill us. So, for me, I can't conclude it's toxic for humans just because it is for dogs.

I am very curious, however, if there's any evidence that xylitol is dangerous at all for babies or adults. It is in DS's toothpaste, and I occasionally chew gum with xylitol.

I understand the dog issue....  Chocolate, etc... however, I do not give my LO chocolate either. 

Sweeteners IMHO offer no significant source of anything.... to me therefore toxic.  Processed. 

I am always quick to say sweeteners are toxic, which I believe they are.  What about good ol honey?  I know it wouldn't be great in toothpaste... 

My Grandmother passed due to pancreatic cancer and she LOVED her sweeteners....  I find I am on a soap box about them. 

The first article here (link) talks about xylitol in the lower portion of the text. 

Quote from the text....

"Conclusions About Xylitol

Xylitol’s own promotional material says it is not safe for everyone to use. Since children are smaller and less developed than adults, they will obviously be much more sensitive to xylitol’s effects. There are no safety data or tests to indicate a safe dosage for children. And foods containing xylitol may also contain additional sweeteners that are undeniably harmful, such as aspartame."

http://westonaprice.org/modern-foods/1448

http://westonaprice.org/modern-foods/570-sugar-free-blues?qh=YToxOntpOjA7czo3OiJ4eWxpdG9sIjt9

Edited by goldenwillow - 4/7/11 at 6:00am

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by Snapdragon 

as far as I could see the toms of maine fluoride free kids paste doesn't have xylitol but I may have not read closely enough

I didn't see any in theirs either.  But other stuff in theirs. 

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product/128933/Tom%27s_of_Maine_Natural_Fluoride-Free_Toothpaste_for_Children%2C_Silly_Strawberry/