While fluoride
is very beneficial in strengthening teeth and preventing tooth
decay, parents need to be concerned about the levels of fluoride
their children are ingesting. Too much fluoride from fluoride
supplements, toothpaste and other sources can lead to a condition
in young children called fluorosis.
Fluorosis
causes discolored teeth and in some cases will cause pitting in
the enamel surface of the teeth. While fluorosis damage tends
to be cosmetic in most cases, excessive fluoride intake can be
harmful.
Fluorosis
appears more often in young children whose developing teeth are
more vulnerable. Children are also the most numerous recipients
of the "halo effect" - well intentioned over exposure
to fluoride from a multitude of sources. Fluoride is in toothpaste,
fluoride supplements, fluoride mouth rinses and, in some areas,
fluoride is added to the water supply. Fluorosis is not caused
by fluoride in city water systems but by over-exposure through
an accumulation of sources.
The best
way to prevent childhood fluorosis is know if your public water
supply contains fluoride and to then monitor your children's intake
accordingly. If your children use toothpaste that contains fluoride,
be sure they are using only a pea size amount of toothpaste and
not covering all the bristles like in a TV commercial. Be sure
they try not to swallow toothpaste containing fluoride. Before
giving your child fluoride supplements, confirm with Dr. Rex Hoangwhether or not additional fluoride
is needed. Exposure to normal levels of fluoride is definitely
beneficial, but too much fluoride can be harmful.
