I was at the doctor's office today with my twins for their 6 month checkup. She mentioned starting fluoride treatments although she said she saw both sides of the argument for and against fluoride. I have read a little on this subject regarding the pros and cons of fluoride treatments. While I understand that fluoride helps build strong teeth and helps prevent cavities, the cons are the toxicity of the fluoride (it seems if overused). I wanted to know from the moms out there, what your experience has been using the fluoride treatments or not using the treatments...
Thanks for your responses. I'll have the water checked to see whether there is any fluoride in it and go from there. Thanks again!
I am a hygienist and I fully think it is good to give your babies fluoride drops. I have two boys and I gave it to both of them. I am on well water so they were not getting it in their water supply on a regular basis. I do not feel it is over used. When they get older just watch their brushing to minimize the swallowing. I hope this was helpful.
I would recommend giving them fluoride if your local water is not fluoridated. Fluoride really does improve tooth health, and tooth problems are linked to a bunch of other health problems.
We have a well without fluoride in the water. I did as my child's pediatrician advised. Now my son's permanent teeth are discolored due to the fluoride supplementation. The prescribed amount was obviously too much. :(
I didn't give my younger son so much supplementation. His permanent teeth are yet to come in so I don't know how they fared.
Our dentist said that just using a fluoride toothpaste will give the supplementation without the expense of buying the tablets since children are apt to swallow a little bit of the toothpaste. Seems brilliant to me. I wish I asked our dentist that years ago!
I am definitely against daily supplementation.
R.:
I am a pediatric dentist and definitely see the benefit of fluoride treatments. However, you should make sure that your town water is not fluoridated and that you are not feeding your twins w/ water that has added fluoride. Some nursery waters do have added fluoride if you are mixing formular for your babies. That is where the toxicity comes from-if you are ingesting fluoride from multiple sources. Either feed them fluoridated water, either from your community water or store bought water or give them the fluoride vitamins. Do not do both. If you have more questions or need more information please feel free to email me.
