Fluoride water is the water that comes out of your tap. Fluoride is a chemical that prevents tooth decay, that’s why and it’s been added to public drinking water supplies since the 1940s. But is it safe for babies?
This article will cover what fluoride is, how it prevents tooth decay, and whether or not it’s safe for babies.
The Basics of Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in the earth’s crust and soil. You can find it in many foods, such as fish and vegetables. Most people get all of the fluorides they need from their diet. However, some individuals may not get enough from food alone or may be particularly susceptible to tooth decay due to other factors like genetics or poor oral hygiene practices.
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevents decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks. It also helps prevent cavities by slowing down the rate at which bacteria break down sugars into acids. Lastly, fluoride also improves the appearance of teeth by making them less prone to staining from food and drinks.
What is Fluoridated Water?
Fluoridated water is a term used to describe water treated with fluoride. This process is called water fluoridation. Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to the public water supply. The purpose of this is to reduce tooth decay, especially in children, and improve the overall dental health of the general population.
Fluoride had been added to municipal drinking water since 1945 when Dr. Frederick McKay discovered that people living in areas with naturally occurring fluoride had fewer cavities than those without it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that municipal drinking water supplies contain 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water (about 0.7 mg/L). However, the Environment Protection Agency has only set fluoride to 4.0 mg/L.
The CDC recommends that fluoride prevents tooth decay and promotes dental health.
Is Fluoridated Water Good for Babies?
Fluoridated water has been a hotly debated topic for decades. Some people believe that it’s important for dental health and that the benefits of fluoride in drinking water outweigh any potential risks. Others believe that fluoride has too many unknowns to justify adding it to public water supplies.
If you’re pregnant or just had a baby, you may wonder if your little one should drink fluoridated water or use it to prepare ready-to-feed formula. The answer is complicated. It depends on where you live, how much fluoride is in your local water supply, and what kind of toothpaste your baby uses. But here’s what we know so far:
The American Dental Association (ADA) released a statement saying that babies’ drinks should be limited to any water with added fluoride because it could cause enamel fluorosis. Additionally, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says infants who consume formula mixed with fluoridated tap water have an increased risk of developing dental fluorosis later in life.
It’s important to note that most studies have found that fluoridated water is beneficial to both adults and children alike. However, many studies indicate that there could be some negative effects on infants, especially formula-fed babies, who ingest too much fluoride.
Dangers of Using Fluoridated Water for Babies
The dangers of using fluoridated water for babies are many, and they include both physical and mental health concerns, including:
1) Fluoride consumption can lead to dental fluorosis
Dental fluorosis is a condition that results from the accumulation of fluoride in the child’s adult teeth and bones, causing them to become discolored and weakened over time. Dental fluorosis can also cause pain when eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages because they may irritate the weakened teeth. 40% of American adolescents have some signs of dental fluorosis, typically not visible until adulthood.
2) Fluoride consumption in large quantities has been linked to bone cancer in children and adults
Several studies have shown that drinking large amounts of fluoridated water can increase your risk of developing bone cancer later in life. Some studies have shown that drinking just one glass of fluoridated water can increase your risk of getting bone cancer by up to 70%.
3) Fluoride consumption has been linked to lower IQs in children who drink fluoridated water before they turn three years old.
A recent study found that exposed babies to fluoride in their first months of life may be at an increased risk of developing ADHD and brain damage in children. It also hinders their ability to absorb nutrients from food, leading to anemia, which is especially dangerous for babies. The study also found that breastfeeding mothers living in areas with fluoridated water have children at an increased risk of developing learning disabilities.
Is There Any Way To Make Fluoridated Water Safer For Babies?
The answer is yes. There are ways to make fluoridated water safer for babies. If you are concerned about the amount of fluoride your baby drinks, check out these tips on how you can make fluoridated water safer for babies:
1. Don’t use tap water as a source of drinking water for your baby.
2. Use distilled, reverse osmosis filtered water instead of tap water when preparing infant formula or foods for toddlers.
3. Use tap water from an unfiltered source only if it contains less than 0.6 ppm of fluoride
4. If you live in an area where fluoride is higher than recommended levels (between 0.7 – 1 ppm), use distilled water, reverse osmosis filtered water, or boiled water.
Water Options for Babies
Water is a vital part of your baby’s diet. It helps to keep your baby hydrated and healthy, and it also aids in digestion. When it comes to water options for babies, there are many options available. Here are the most common types:
Boiled Water
Boiled water is best for babies and toddlers. Boiling water will kill any bacteria that may be present in the water, making it safe for consumption. If you choose this option, make sure that you use only boiled water when mixing infant formula or preparing other foods.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is another popular choice among parents because it has no impurities or traces of minerals like fluoride or chlorine that can negatively affect children’s health. Distilled water is inexpensive, but you’ll need to purchase distilled water instead of regular tap water if you want to use this filtration system at home.
Purified Water
Purified water is simply water that has been filtered through a process that removes impurities like dirt and bacteria. It is often used in baby bottles because it is free of chemicals or minerals that may be present in tap water, which could cause digestive problems for infants.
Filtered Water
Filtered water is similar to purified water except that it has been filtered through a charcoal filter to remove any toxic chemicals that may be present in tap or bottled water. Filtered water can also be used for cooking foods for babies who aren’t eating solid foods yet. For best results, use a Brita filter pitcher or other pitcher brands with an extra-fine filter system, such as Keurig.
If I Can’t Use Fluoridated Water, How Can I Make Sure My Baby Teeth Are Healthy?
It’s not ideal for babies to drink fluoridated water at a very young age—it might make them sick. But there are other ways to ensure your baby has healthy teeth, and they are easy.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your infant’s teeth with a wet washcloth or gauze pad at least once a day until they’re old enough to brush their teeth.
You can use non-fluoride toothpaste when their first tooth erupts, usually around 6 months old. Once your child reaches their first birthday, you should use fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse twice daily: once before bedtime and once in the morning.
Your pediatric dentist will apply fluoride varnish starting when your baby is 6 months old at well-child visits to help prevent or slow down tooth decay.
You may also consult your pediatric dentist for fluoride supplements if you’re concerned about your child’s teeth health. Your child’s dentist may give your child a prescription for fluoride drops or tablets.
Takeaway
It’s not a good idea to give your baby fluoride water or use it in making ready-to-feed formula. Instead, it would be best to use purified, filtered, or boiled water. These options are free of contaminants and other impurities, which makes it the best water for your baby.
When it comes to your baby’s health, you have to be extra careful. Remember that the best way to protect your baby from harm is by being aware of what products you’re using on them and how they might affect them.
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