Fluoride has been a controversial subject ever since communities began 
adding fluoride to their water supplies (about 50 years ago). Advocates point to the benefits of fluoride in reducing cavities. Critics have concerns about bone cancer and enamel fluorosis (streaking of the enamel due to excessive fluoride intake).
The latest fuel to the debate is a statement from the American Dental Association. The ADA responded to the National Research Council's assessment that infants being fed formula preparations mixed with water (i.e. powder or liquid concentrate) may be getting too much fluoride.
Here's what the ADA recommendations boil down to:
1) There has never been a recommendation to offer fluoride supplements in babies UNDER six months of age. Babies under six months of age who are fed liquid concentrate or powder formula prepared with tap water that is high in fluoride may be getting too much of a good thing.
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2) Each community water supplier assesses naturally occurring fluoride levels, and decides whether or not to add fluoride to its supply. It's important to find out how much is in your own tap water (the ideal, as ADA says is 0.7-1.2 ppm)
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3) If your baby is breastfed, this is not an issue. If your baby is eating ready-to-feed formula, it is also not an issue.
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4) If your baby is formula fed and you are using powdered or liquid concentrate that needs to be reconstituted, use either bottled water that does NOT add fluoride or use your tap water if the fluoride levels in it are not excessive.
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5) And, if you have tap water with little to no fluoride or well water, and your baby is OVER six months of age, you may need to actually give your baby a fluoride supplement. Check with your pediatrician/dentist for their recommendations.
For more information, see the ADA's FAQ page for parents at www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/infantsformula_faq.asp
Fluoride has been a controversial subject ever since communities began
adding fluoride to their water supplies (about 50 years ago). Advocates point to the benefits of fluoride in reducing cavities. Critics have concerns about bone cancer and enamel fluorosis (streaking of the enamel due to excessive fluoride intake).
The latest fuel to the debate is a statement from the American Dental Association. The ADA responded to the National Research Council's assessment that infants being fed formula preparations mixed with water (i.e. powder or liquid concentrate) may be getting too much fluoride.
Here's what the ADA recommendations boil down to:
1) There has never been a recommendation to offer fluoride supplements in babies UNDER six months of age. Babies under six months of age who are fed liquid concentrate or powder formula prepared with tap water that is high in fluoride may be getting too much of a good thing.
?
2) Each community water supplier assesses naturally occurring fluoride levels, and decides whether or not to add fluoride to its supply. It's important to find out how much is in your own tap water (the ideal, as ADA says is 0.7-1.2 ppm)
?
3) If your baby is breastfed, this is not an issue. If your baby is eating ready-to-feed formula, it is also not an issue.
?
4) If your baby is formula fed and you are using powdered or liquid concentrate that needs to be reconstituted, use either bottled water that does NOT add fluoride or use your tap water if the fluoride levels in it are not excessive.
?
5) And, if you have tap water with little to no fluoride or well water, and your baby is OVER six months of age, you may need to actually give your baby a fluoride supplement. Check with your pediatrician/dentist for their recommendations.
For more information, see the ADA's FAQ page for parents at www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/infantsformula_faq.asp