Pediatrician and Fluoride

AwwJung2009

We were given a prescription for fluoride. Its still sitting in the diaper bag. I don't think I want to give her it.

Is there any reason to need too? It's so difficult to make those choices sometimes.

Thanks for any input ladies.

jg1011

We do the vitamins with fluoride. Never really questioned it. Now that he's not drinking as much formula I know he needs more than the solids can give him. He doesn't drink much water and even then from water bottle with little/no fluoride.

Is there a particular reason you are worried?

MommaColborn

Our pedi has never mentioned it.  We formula feed though, and Harp gets plenty of water with fluoride. 

Jordysmommy

Floride blocks the Pineal gland. My son gets distilled water and floride free toothpaste.

Here's a site for you
https://www.fluoridealert.org/articles/fluoride-facts/

tngrl3

Some flouride is needed for teeth development. That is why the flourinate most water sources. N is EBF and doesn't drink much water so he gets the drops at my pedis recommendation. My friends little girl has had several cavities at age 3 because her teeth are weak due to a lack of flouride in the county water.

AwwJung2009

We're in Oregon, so water has no fluoride in it.

Thanks for the input. I'll just have to look at a bit more information on the subject. Then decide.



Random photo of baby girl. She was loving on this teddy earlier.

winecastle14

I haven't done much research on this yet but my pedi did specifically say to buy fluoride-free toothpaste. One of the questions they asked for her chart was if she had any water with fluoride. I told them she randomly drinks water but not an every day thing. They didn't seem to care. 

fusionbride

This is the kind of thing that you can ask your pediatrician-- it is their job to explain their recommended prescriptions, and discuss your concerns with you. 

If child isn't exposed to fluoridated tap water, then they need fluoride supplements for proper teeth development.  Here are the evidence-based guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry    https://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_FluorideUse.pdf

Fluoridated toothpaste is a trickier topic. It is recommended to take your baby to a dentist for a checkup when they turn 1, so I plan to ask then.  For some children, it is recommended to use a rice-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste starting at 1 year, and then I think everyone is recommended to use pea-sized dab at 2 years.  The issue is swallowing large amounts of toothpaste-- supervised brushing with a small amount of toothpaste is totally fine.