PSA: ADA says floride toothpaste with first tooth

Beth.1212 · February 2014

I just saw that the ADA is recommending a VERY small amount of floride toothpaste for kids as soon as they get their first tooth. (One report here.) Just thought that you guys might want to know.

LittleApple · February 2014

I'm a terrible mom and don't brush my kids teeth with anything but water until they reach 2.

ELF4321 · February 2014

I'm shocked by this. Most recent scientific studies show evidence that young kids are already over-exposed to flouride. It may reduce cavities, but the other risks are, IMO, more important to consider. I really hope the APA steps up and publicly opposes this recommendation (not likely, unfortunately).

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/

minervacullen · February 2014

Yeah, not happening.

Beth.1212 · February 2014

ELF4321 said:

I'm shocked by this. Most recent scientific studies show evidence that young kids are already over-exposed to flouride. It may reduce cavities, but the other risks are, IMO, more important to consider. I really hope the APA steps up and publicly opposes this recommendation (not likely, unfortunately). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/

That's an interesting article! Thanks for passing it along.

According to the AAP website:

"The Maternal and Child Health Bureau expert panel recommends a "smear" of fluoride toothpaste for children younger than 2 years of age who are at high risk for dental caries and a "pea-sized" amount for all children ages 2 to 6. The AAP agrees with this recommendation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that for children aged <2 years, the pediatrician should "consider the fluoride level in the community drinking water, other sources of fluoride, and factors likely to affect susceptibility to dental caries when weighing the risk and benefits of using fluoride toothpaste," but they do not give specific advice on how much to use in children aged <2 years."

I'm not sure what we'll do. I'll probably talk with my pediatrician before making a decision for my LO.

izziebee · February 2014

I'm lucky if I get a toothbrush into my 1 year olds mouth some nights so I'm not about to start using fluoride toothpaste yet, it's certainly not going to make a difference. FWIW, we didn't start using it on DS1 until he was at least 2 and his teeth are just fine, as a matter of fact, his dentist tells us they look great.

smileybabyboy · February 2014

DS takes a daily vitamin with fluoride in it and we use the toddler toothpaste without fluoride when we brush his teeth. I'm happy and comfortable doing this instead of using real toothpaste.

LittleApple · February 2014

smileybabyboy said:

DS takes a daily vitamin with fluoride in it and we use the toddler toothpaste without fluoride when we brush his teeth. I'm happy and comfortable doing this instead of using real toothpaste.

Huh? You are not supposed to ingest fluoride......

minervacullen · February 2014

LittleApple said:

smileybabyboy said:

DS takes a daily vitamin with fluoride in it and we use the toddler toothpaste without fluoride when we brush his teeth. I'm happy and comfortable doing this instead of using real toothpaste.

Huh? You are not supposed to ingest fluoride......

Our pedi gave us a fluoride vitamin. I don't use it because you can't have milk 2 hours before it after taking it and DD still nurses too much. Plus she drinks city water.

BLPL101 · February 2014

Not doing that.

smileybabyboy · February 2014

LittleApple said:

smileybabyboy said:

DS takes a daily vitamin with fluoride in it and we use the toddler toothpaste without fluoride when we brush his teeth. I'm happy and comfortable doing this instead of using real toothpaste.

Huh? You are not supposed to ingest fluoride......

It's often in the tap water, so you are probably drinking it.

buzzbee24 · February 2014

theresat858 said:
Really? See, 'cause kids can swallow toothpaste.

I think it's probably because stupid communities aren't putting fluoride in the water anymore. As long as you live somewhere that still puts fluoride in the water (and give your kid water and not gerber juice all day long), I don't think I'd put it on a toothbrush.

This was our pediatric dentists opinion. He said just make sure he's drinking water with fluoride or even preparing food with it and that's all the fluoride needed for now until they learn how to properly spit and rinse when brushing teeth.

Unknown · February 2014

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