My children may have.
After reading Marlo’s post about baby water, more commonly known by the brand name Nursery Water, I did a little web research on giving fluoridated water (either tap or bottled) to infants. This issue is important for all parents, but more so for those who primarily formula feed their infants.
When I Googled “nursery water for babies,” several very surprising links popped up. Dental Experts: Too Much Fluoride Is Bad For Babies and Ask Wal-Mart to Stop Selling Fluoride “Nursery Water” to Infants are the articles that piqued my interest the most. Both referenced the American Dental Association’s recent recommendations to avoid giving children, especially infants, excessive fluoride.
I may have received too much fluoride as a child
Dental Experts: Too Much Fluoride Is Bad For Babies says:
the American Dental Association said parents should not give any fluoridated water to babies under 1 year old. It doesn’t matter if it’s coming from a bottle or a faucet.
This site contains video of an interview with a pediatric dentist and some photos of what fluorosis looks like. After seeing these photos, I believe I may have received too much fluoride as a child.
Ask Wal-Mart to Stop Selling Fluoride “Nursery Water” to Infants is a site that allows people to sign an internet petition. The petition states:
Nursery Water is a form of fluoridated bottled water that is specifically marketed for babies. According to the ADA, consumption of fluoridated water puts a baby at high risk for dental fluorosis (a defect of teeth that causes staining and sometimes corrosion of the enamel.) The ADA’s statement followed a decision from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that bottled waters with added fluoride cannot claim to reduce the risk of cavities for infants.
ADA.org recommends several types of water for infants.
Powdered or liquid concentrate infant formula can be mixed with water that is fluoride-free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon. Some, but not all, home water treatment systems also remove fluoride from tap water, so check with the manufacturer. Parents and caregivers should consult with their pediatrician, family physician or dentist on the most appropriate water to use in their area to reconstitute infant formula.
This information came a little bit late for us, since Sophie is now 14 months old and no longer an infant. It’s still good to keep in mind for both kids, since fluorosis can happen all the way up until the last teeth break through the gums, usually around 12 years old. We use ice and drinking water that has been filtered through our refrigerator. I will have to check if it removes any of the fluoride.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Michael // Feb 14, 2007 at 11:20 pm
I don’t think most refrigerator filters remove fluoride. From what I can tell, most refrigerator filters use “activated carbon” technology to filter the contaminants. Carbon-based filters, however, do not remove fluoride.
To remove fluoride, one needs either a “reverse osmosis” filter, or an “activated alumina” filter. The latter scares me a bit, though, as I wonder if it could leach aluminum into the water?
2 Elisa // Feb 15, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Here’s a website summary about fluoride removal:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/removefluoride.htm
It says that RO systems are generally unaffordable for personal use, but you can find an under-sink model from Lowe’s for under $200.
Also, not all WTPs add fluoride. You can call your Village Hall and ask if they do.
3 Elisa // Feb 15, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Update: I just checked the IEPA website, and yes, there is fluoride in your water system, about 1 mg/L.
And yes, over time, the alumina resin produces soluble aluminum compounds, but I don’t know at what concentrations. Studies attempting to link diseases like alzheimers with exposure to aluminum in drinking water have been inconclusive and contradictory.
If you’re really worried about fluoride, I would buy bottled (read the labels of course) or get an RO system.
4 nyscof // Feb 15, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Fluoride is also in many foods in high levels such as mechanically deboned chicken that’s used for infant baby foods, grape juice, tea, ocean fish and Fluoride is in virtually all foods because fluoridated water is used in processing and/or fluoride pesticide residues remain on the food
For more info
Fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
Fluoridation News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu
Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/
Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net
Fluoride Journal http://www.FluorideResearch.Org
5 Dr. Jim McGregor // Feb 16, 2007 at 9:04 pm
After Fluoridation of the Waco, Tx water supply in the mid 70’s I saw the number of “bombed out/broken down” mouths decrease dramatically. To the point that 50% of new patients had none. You have no idea how much pain this simple measure has prevented. If you are worried about Fluorosis don’t let the kid swallow the toothpaste. Brush them yourself , Make the time. JEM
6 nyscof // Apr 10, 2007 at 6:47 am
Actually, these bombed out teeth are showing up in artificially fluoridated areas.
See: http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
This is how Jonathan Kozol explains it in his book Savage Inequalities about life in fluoridated South Bronx, New York City: “Bleeding gums, impacted teeth and rotting teeth are routine matters for children….. Children live for months with pain that grown-ups would find unendurable. …I have seen children with teeth that look like brownish, broken sticks. I have seen teenagers who were missing half their teeth….”
Fluoridation does not save money or teeth. See:
http://fluoridedangers.blogspot.com/2005_11_30_archive.html
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