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The Kitchen Table

Fluoride treatment

15 years ago

Anyone know the ins and outs of fluoride treatment? Nick's kindergarten registration has a form if we want Nick to get fluoride at school - EVERYDAY! Is that necessary? He doesn't drink tap water (I cook with it but we don't drink it) but he uses fluoride toothpaste. Should I opt for him to get the fluoride? If I do, should I then put him on a non-fluoride toothpaste?

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Comments (13)

ruthieg__tx
15 years ago
Why don't you call his dentist and ask his opinion?
socks
15 years ago
Or ask the pediatrician, or ask both. Fluoride is good, but as I recall, too much can mottle kids' teeth. Honestly, I really don't care for the school to administer anything. It's my child, and I'll handle any supplements, etc., thank you very much.
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Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
The dentist will prescribe flouride most of the time.

However, do a little research on flouride. In our area they are FINALLY begining to take it out of the water supply..
paula_pa
Original Author
15 years ago
You know, I know we discussed this last time he was at the dentist. We passed up the fluoride treatment there but I can't remember the reasoning now.
nodakgal
15 years ago
I'm with Terri on this. From reports it certainly is not all good.
Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
If you feel the need to "use" it..use a flouride toothpaste and then one of those "kids" mouth washes that you SPIT out..
It does not need to be in the body...It's a toxin and it will build up. Some people have no problems handling it..other have alot of problems.
lydia1959
15 years ago
I've been hearing bad things about Flouride, I certainly wouldn't want my child to have it everyday.

That said, my DD has got yearly flouride treatments on her teeth at the dentist office since she was small. It works well as a cavity preventive.

As you can tell.. I haven't made my mind up about flouride yet.:-)
lisa_fla
15 years ago
That seem odd to me that the school would do this. We have always had 'city' water so it was never an issue.
paula_pa
Original Author
15 years ago
This is a rural area and many kids are probably on well water so that might be the reason.

I can remember getting occasional fluoride treatments in school but when I saw this was an everyday thing, it threw me for a loop.
marilyn_c
15 years ago
I'd opt out.
alisande
15 years ago
I'm not an expert on fluoride, but I read up on it when my kids were in school. I remember at that time a number of Europen countries were banning its use in drinking water, among other things.

A dentist I had at the time showed me a report on research done at a university in the midwest. It was shocking. Lab animals given fluoride in concentrations comparable to that in public water systems had no problems with it. Nor did their offspring. But the third generation, as I recall, became sterile.

I did not give permission for the schools to dose my children with fluoride.
mariend
15 years ago
I agree, ask your dentist, health provider or even local county medical people. As seniors, our dentist gives us floride treatments once a year because of the thinning of the enamel on our teeth.
workoutlady
15 years ago
My DD had the flouride at school but it was the swished in the mouth and spit out and it was done once at month, not daily. I would check with the dentist. I think everyone is different and you need to look at your family history also. My family is known for having not strong teeth so the flouride helped, in my opinion. I also do not think it is a good idea to have a lot of fillings so you really need to weigh the pros and cons. I'm not so sure I would give flouride daily though. Ask your dentist.

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