Your Child's Health - Archive

Also in this issue: Anxiety Often Under-Recognized Texting May Send Painful Message Cyberbullying Can Happen Anytime, Anywhere When Busy is Too Busy NEWSLETTER HOME PAGE		For Kids, Use Fluoride with Care Infants and young children are prone to a cosmetic problem from fluoride The fluoridation of public water supplies has played a major role in reducing U.S. tooth decay. But for children —  particularly infants — too much fluoride can be too much of a good thing. “Because children have much lighter body weights, fluoride is just one of the many things they need less of than adults,” says Carolyn Wilson, DDS, MSD, Chief of Dental Services at Children’s. Too much fluoride during the formation of teeth inside the gums can cause enamel fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that results in visible white lines or stripes on the teeth that can consolidate into larger opaque areas. “It doesn’t affect the structure or overall health of the teeth, but it can be a cosmetic concern,” Dr. Wilson says. Enamel fluorosis mainly affects baby teeth but can affect permanent teeth, too. To prevent it, the American Dental Association recommends you consider: Breast-feeding during the first year of your child’s life. Ready-to-feed formula rather than formula mixed with water containing fluoride. Powdered or liquid concentrate infant formula that can be mixed with water that contains little or no fluoride (examples: water labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis-filtered). Once your child’s teeth emerge from the gums, there is no danger of fluorosis. However, the last of your child’s permanent teeth might not emerge until about age 12, according to Dr. Wilson. That’s why the ADA has additional recommendations for the use of dental products containing fluoride.   For children younger than 2 years old: Brush your child’s teeth with a child-sized toothbrush. Do not use fluoride toothpaste until your child is 2 unless advised to do so by a dentist or other health professional. For 2- to 5-year olds: Place only a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush. Supervise children while they brush their teeth. Make sure they spit out, rather than swallow, the toothpaste. Avoid fluoride mouth rinse, since children might swallow it by accident. “Kids aren’t miniature adults, so the swallowing reflex or awareness of what to swallow or spit out is not as sophisticated,” says Dr. Wilson. “Just as it’s prudent to watch them in the bathtub and help them with other personal hygiene activities, it’s prudent to do so when they are brushing their teeth.” Resources American Dental Association Health Library: Dental and Oral Health Last reviewed: January 2009		Find a Speciality & Service Request an Appointment Support Children's childrens.com
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