My baby just turned 1 last week. So far, she has 4 teeth: 2 upper front & 2 lower front with a couple more coming in. We've been swiping her teeth with a wash cloth every time she baths before bed. Our dr. keeps telling us to let her drink water with flouride. Is this safe?
Thank you to everyone who responded. I think I will just dip her toothbrush in flouride water when we brush her teeth, then switch to baby toothpaste at 18 months, the recommended age to start using it.
She popped another 2 for a total of 6 teeth!
Hi Lovejoy,
They say we have too much flouride in the water.
I purchased a filter that produces piwater from Nikken. My family loves the water. It does not just take out the contaminates it puts back the nutrients we used to to have in our water 100 years ago.
If you would like to learn more check out the site on water.
Stay well.
N. Marie
My dentist tells me that they are seeing many more kids with cavities these days than in the past 20 years, kids who practice good oral hygiene, primarily because the parents say they are giving them bottled, non-fluoridated water. It's certainly a choice, but fluoride is also a critical element for bone strength, so you should consider that in your decision-making.
There is much debate about the safety of flouride in drinking water. It may help prevent cavities, and it may also be linked to cancer. Personally, I have a filter on my tap water.
Most tap water is flouridated, and some bottled water has fluoride.
Check this out: http://www.bottledwater.org/public/fluoride_QA.htm
It is okay. I have been studying to be a dental assistant and just read about this. It is totally safe. My doctor had given my oldest daughter a vitamin with fluoride in it-just because I was specifically breastfeeding, but yes from what I read they are only allowed to put a safe amount in the water. I think it is 1 ppm. So it will not harm your daughter at all-as long as she is not getting any fluoride from any other source.
There's always baby toothpaste (Gerber, Oral B, Orajel) that is safe to swallow. Some companies also include a brush. You can get them at target, walgreens, safeway...etc. I've been brushing my baby's teeth (now 18 mos.) since she started solids before she goes to sleep.
