Fluoride
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Fluoride
May 2007
Hi. Does anyone know of a dentist that focuses more on proper nutrution versus
fluoride to prevent tooth decay? anon
I don't know if you want a pediatric dentist or general dentist,
but our pediatric dentist -- Dr. Ed Matsuishi, on Stockton in El
Cerrito -- is very committed to dental health through diet. I
don't know if he is anti-flouride, but he is knowledgeable about
the inter-relation between diet and dental health (more so than
just ''no sweets'')and promotes it for all his patients.
Christine
Just say you don't want it. My daughter gags and barfs at flouride treatments, we
tell the dentist and he doesn't do it. No big deal. You can probably google about
proper nutrition for healthy teeth.
-- flossing's good
April 2006
I just reviewed the archives looking for dialogue on the risks
of flouride supplementation. Surprisingly, I did not see any.
My four yr old's dentist is pretty pro-flouride, but the
information that I have read indicates that flouride is
extremely toxic to the body and that it, essentially, is a waste
by-product foisted upon unsuspecting people in the form of
flouride supplementation to our water supplies or as flouride
supplements to children. Further, what I've read indicates that
flouride isn't actually all that effective in preventing caries.
Any body want out there have information for me, one way or
another? I'm searching for information that I can use to decide
how to proceed with dental work.
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a pediatric dentist
who is NOT pro-flouride? I'm willing to consider treatment
outside of Marin County.
Thanks!
Christine
If you're open to pro-fluoride information, you might want to check out
http://www.quackwatch.org/03HealthPromotion/fluoride.html
and
http://www.fluoridationcenter.org/
The latter includes statements from the World Health Organization and the Center for
Disease Control; the former explains some of the problems with the organizations who
claim fluoridation of water is bad for you...
Karen
Wow...where are you getting your information? There may be no dialog on this issue in
the archives because fluoridation of the water supply is one of the most important and
most effective public health measures of the last century (some have listed it in the
top 10 along with small pox eradication).
There is very strong evidence in support of fluoridation for the prevention of caries
that goes back to the 50s. A very recent study that found a positive association with
cancer (bone cancer?) was a single report. But if you like anecdotal evidence, a
friend of mine drank bottled water (no fluoride) during pregnancy and her daughter has
had several cavities as a preschooler. Dental health is of lifelong interest. I have
had several crowns now that my old very large fillings have given way and little tooth
was left.
Anon
March 2004
My 3 year old is still nursing at night. Her dentist has recommended that she have
monthly flouride treatments, eventhough she has not developed any cavities. I feel
this is abit excessive. Does anyone out there have any experience/opinions about
this.
Thanks
Linda
Both of my kids nursed at night for years, and both did get some
cavities. They had fluoride treatments, but not monthly, just
twice a year. Their teeth improved, and of course, as they got
older they cooperated much better with brushing and flossing.
We went to Dr. Denise Bass Allen on Broadway in Oakland. She is
a pediatric dentist, and nursed her own child. She was very
helpful, and practical, and never judgemental, and will
recommend treatment based on how your child is doing. I
strongly urge you to see her for another opinion.
Trudi
Monthly flouride treatments for a 3 YO without any cavity
activity seems excessive to me. But I tend to err on the side
of less chemical treatment. My daughter's dentist suggested
flouride treatments at about the same age, but it was going to
be once every six months. Because my daughter had no cavities,
I said I'd rather not. My daughter is 9 now and still has no
cavities. Although she's never had a dental flouride
treatment, I suspect the flouride they put in the water now has
had an effect (although we drink a lot of filtered water - I
don't know if flouride is filtered out). She seemed to do fine
without the dental flouride treatment, though.
Cathy
My kids were both breastfed for one year, but have been on
vitamin drops with fluoride since they were babies (they're now 2
& 4). The reason for this is that my husband (who's an MD) was
given fluoride drops as a kid in New Jersey, and insists it's the
reason he's never had a cavity in his life. As a person who's
had cavities all her life, I readily agreed when he wanted to
give our kids the drops. I did worry that they would get
fluoritis, which I read about as causing discoloration of the
teeth, but so far, no cavities and no discoloration. I highly
recommend the drops; no monthly trips to the dentist; you just
need a prescription.
A Berkeley Mom
August 1998
Our family drinks bottled water, and we are thinking of giving our son
fluoride supplements. Before we go ahead and do it, I was wondering if
there is any heated debate about this subject, or if it's a fairly
straightforward thing to do.
Heather
I just asked my pediatrician about this, and he recommended getting bottled
water that has fluoride in it already. Fluoride seems to be most effective
if the teeth get exposed to it directly all the time (e.g., with every
drink and some foods that your son takes). Also, you avoid any struggle
about your son having to take some kind of pill daily.
Angela
Most bottled water companies have water with and without floride. We use
Alhambra-- you just need to specify.
chaudhry
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