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Dentist visit causes mixed feelings about fluoridated water
My three-year-old son had his first dental check-up today – and he was a champ. It didn’t hurt that the office was decked out in safari décor, with bamboo-framed flat-screen TVs blasting Disney favorites like Monsters Inc. and Ratatouille.
Oh, and did I mention the three videogame stations?
What I loved best of all was the way the hygienist and dentist talked to my son. They explained every tool, prefaced every action with a gentle warning, and let him participate by holding the suction device. He even agreed to wear sunglasses to keep the bright light from hurting his eyes. (If you knew my son, you’d know that he’d rather do just about anything than wear 1) a hat 2) sunglasses 3) stickers.)
Despite the smooth visit, I left the office with some homework: Regularly floss my son’s teeth and give him fluoridated water to drink. I’m on board with the flossing. But I have mixed feelings about the extra fluoride. I figured fluoride in toothpaste was enough.
How did you handle the fluoride issue with your kids?
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Comments
Fluoride is neither a nutrient nor required for healthy teeth.
Officials now admit that fluoride's benefits are topical and not systemic which means that swallowing fluoride confers no benefits. Fluoride absorbs to the outer enamel
However, it's risks are systemic. Too much fluoride is unhealthy. Too little fluoride does not cause tooth decay.
Fore more info
Fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
http://www.FluorideAction.Net
Posted by: nyscof | January 21, 2008 10:48 PM
Stopped using it 3 years ago
You need to educate yourself first about having him drink
Get yourself a Scientific America Jan. 2008 issue. It is a good start.
The article is called “Second Thoughts on Fluoride”
My Dentist is Fluoride Free
Even the tooth paste he uses to clean with.
P.S. also maybe receiving enough though his diet orange juice, raisins ect..
Good for you, wanting to educate yourself
Thank you
Posted by: LaneW | January 21, 2008 10:57 PM