Sodium fluoride

ekc29

I received a prescription for sodium fluoride from my pedi for my DD at her 6 mo appt.  Apparently we do not have fluoride in our water in my area and it is "needed" for healthy teeth development.  I didn't fill the prescription yet.

My mom sees the prescription and flips out, telling me that it is a toxin/poison and I should not give this to my DD.  I do a little research online and see that she is correct, and, from what I have read, it is not something I want to give my DD.  I hadn't filled it yet, since she is just cutting her first tooth right now, and I do always research anything I plan to give her.  

Has anyone else been given a prescription for this? Any thoughts? 

SweetGirlC79

Wow, that is very odd for the pedi to prescribe because you are right that babies are not allowed to have any fluroide from what I was told by my son's pedi.  I would not get it filled and if the pedi says anything next time about it let him know that babies are not supposed to have that. 

LuvMyBobs

At our 6 month apt, the doctor prescribed a daily vitamin + fluoride. He takes 1mL of this vitamin/fluoride per day. Our water supply does not contain fluoride and he needs it for healthy tooth development. I questioned the doctor about it and he said that the amount they get from the fluoride supplements are what they need for healthy tooth development and only if very large doses can it cause problems.

meltoine

Call the pedi and talk about it some more. Don't give it to your LO until/unless your comfortable with it.

EVA116

I have never heard of that. Did your doctor know about your water because he/she lives in the area or he/she could tell from your LOs teeth?

ele617

My pedi just said that if DS drinks water for it to be tap (we have fluoride in our water here) or to buy bottled water with fluoride in it such as this.

ekc29

SweetGirlC79:

Wow, that is very odd for the pedi to prescribe because you are right that babies are not allowed to have any fluroide from what I was told by my son's pedi.  I would not get it filled and if the pedi says anything next time about it let him know that babies are not supposed to have that. 

It's so funny how all pedis say different things.  I asked a few of my girlfriends, just out of curiosity, what their pedis had said about fluoride, and some say babies should have it, others say they shouldn't.  After what I have read, my intuition says not to give it to her, so I am not.  Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with.  I was just curious what other mammas on here had heard or thought of fluoride.   

ekc29

vickycat:

I have never heard of that. Did your doctor know about your water because he/she lives in the area or he/she could tell from your LOs teeth?

She knew about the local water because she lives around here and I guess all pedis in this area prescribe it.  Apparently, there hasn't been fluoride in the water around here for quite some time b/c my mom said fluoride was prescribed to me and my brother when we were little and we never took it.  FTR, I have great teeth (only one cavity ever and I have never had any teeth/gums issues).  

NicoleBG72

I'm a dental hygienist so this is a heated debate I'm familiar with. Fluoride is dangerous at high levels ONLY. So if your LO were to eat toothpaste they would probably get sick bc toothpaste has a high concentration of fluoride. Toothpaste is not made to be swallowed..it is a topical gel so it's ok to have high amounts, but babies don't know not to swallow so it's dangerous for them. Now water is usually fluoridated in most cities but this fluoride is a whole lot less than any toothpaste..it is safe to drink. You or your baby couldn't even come close to drinking enough of the water for the fluoride to be dangerous. Babies do need fluoride in their drinking water for proper tooth development and lowering the risk greatly of decay..we just have to make sure it's the right concentration. Fluoride is only a "poison' if too much of it's ingested. Hope I helped

twirlyjack73

I'm anti-flouride & will not get into the details b/c they are endless.  In short it has been banned from the drinking water in Europe, Japan, & many other countries.  That should tell you something.  Furthermore it "may" prevent cavities in 6-8 year olds.  That's not reason enough in my opinion to use it.