Reprinted with the author's permission
Unedited by BPO staff
Fluoride, like selenium, is a trace element that
varies in its availability in the soil and water in different
areas of the world. Dental researchers have found that higher
levels of fluoride reduce the incidence of cavities in children’s
baby teeth. For this reason, many public water systems around
the country and around the world have added fluoride to the drinking
water in an attempt to reduce dental caries. Fluoride is added
to most toothpaste and is applied in some dental treatments as
well. Believing breastmilk to be low in fluoride, many pediatricians
and dentists are recommending fluoride supplements to breastfed
babies. However, since the installation of water fluoridation
and other measures beginning around 1950, the results of excess
fluoride have revealed themselves.
Today, fluoridation is all around us, in 50%
of U.S. drinking water, in 50% of bottled drinks, and it gets
into cows and soy and thus infant formulas. Although human milk
appears unaffected by the amount of fluoride ingested, concentrations
of fluoride in cow’s milk can be 20 to 70 times the level found
in breastmilk, depending on the level of fluoride contamination
from fertilizers and pesticides the cow is exposed to.26
This fluoride is concentrated in the milk for formulas as a result
of dehydration, and then more is added with the water used for
rehydration. Now nearly a quarter of all our children are showing
some signs of excess fluoride, or fluorosis.27,28 An
early sign is altered formation and discoloration of teeth. Fluorosis
is marked in 5% of these children and very great in some of those.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that high
fluoride levels damage bones.29 In Morocco, a nation
with rich fluoride levels in their soil and water, fluorosis is
common. There, skeletal defects, such as knock knees, and joint
pains and teeth abnormalities are commonly seen.30
This damage can include wearing down of teeth, as well as deviation
of teeth and eventually cavities.
Moderate fluorosis, seen in some heavy drinkers
of fluoridated water, juice, or soda is associated with mild teeth
and bone malformations, possible nervous system alterations, osteoporosis,
and eventually kyphosis, the humped upper-back. Gastrointestinal
pain and damage can occur with established fluorosis as well.31
Severe fluorosis leads to misshapen major bones and other bony
defects, along with neurological problems. Development of severe
fluorosis is not likely except in children who especially like
to swallow toothpaste and have other high fluoride sources as
well.
Excess fluoride, at the level considered beneficial
to teeth, causes detrimental changes in the mineralization of
bones.32 Fluoride replaces magnesium in bones, making
them harder. This hardness is partly desirable in teeth, giving
them extra defense against destructive cavity-causing bacteria.
But excess fluoride combines with available calcium and together
they leave the body, leaving less calcium for bone (tensile) strength
and density. Thus bones become hard, in the sense of brittle,
and at the same time there is deficient bone calcium (osteoporosis),
which leads to easy fractures.
The latest studies are suggesting the benefit
to children’s teeth from ingested fluoride (water or supplements)
is very small.33 The greatest benefits seem to be when
fluoride comes into direct contact with teeth, suggesting that
small amounts of fluoridated toothpaste, without swallowing it,
would be the best choice for cavity reduction.
Fluoride supplementation for children is strongly
associated with increased risk of fluorosis.34 Beyond
supplementation, the major risk factors for fluorosis are formula
feeding, weaning before 9 months of age, and swallowing toothpaste.35
Breastfeeding to at least 6 months may even protect against fluorosis
in the permanent teeth.36 Breastfed infants are not
drinking fluoridated water and mother’s milk provides a very consistent
level of fluoride regardless of the amount the mother ingests.37
A large body of evidence points against supplementing fluoride
for breastfed or other babies or older children, and it is no
longer recommended by researchers, even when levels in water are
low.38 Unfortunately, some doctors continue to recommend
it for breastfed kids.
Endnotes
26. D. Chlubek, “[Interaction
of fluoride with milk constituents],” Ann Acad Med Stetin
(Poland) 39 (1993): 23–38.
27. K.E. Heller et al., “Dental
caries and dental fluorosis at varying water fluoride concentrations,”
J Public Health Dent 57, no. 3 (Summer 1997): 136–43.
28. D.J. Brothwell and H. Limeback,
“Fluorosis risk in grade 2 students residing in a rural area with
widely varying natural fluoride,” Community Dent Oral Epidemiol
(Canada) 27, no. 2 (Apr 1999): 130–6.
29. M. Diesendorf et al., “Aust
N Z J Public Health (Australia) 21, no. 2 (Apr 1997): 187–90.
30. E.H. Abdennebi et al., “Human
fluorosis in Morocco: analytical and clinical investigations,”
Vet Hum Toxicol (Morocco) 37 no. 5 (Oct 1995): 465–8.
31. S Dasarathy et al., “Gastroduodenal
manifestations in patients with skeletal fluorosis,” J Gastroenterol
(India) 31, no. 3 (Jun 1996): 333–7.
32. P.K. DenBesten, “Biological
mechanisms of dental fluorosis relevant to the use of fluoride
supplements,” Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 27, no. 1
(Feb 1999): 41–7.
33. N.J. Wang and P.J. Riordan,
“Fluoride supplements and caries in a non-fluoridated child population,”
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol (Norway) 27, no. 2 (Apr
1999): 117–23.
34. A.I. Ismail and R.R. Bandekar,
“Fluoride supplements and fluorosis: a meta-analysis,” Community
Dent Oral Epidemiol 27, no. 1 (Feb 1999): 48–56.
35. P.J. Riordan, “Dental fluorosis,
dental caries and fluoride exposure among 7-year-olds,” Caries
Res 27, no. 1 (1993): 71–7.
36. D.J. Brothwell and H. Limeback,
“Fluorosis risk in grade 2 students residing in a rural area with
widely varying natural fluoride,” Community Dent Oral Epidemiol
(Canada) 27, no. 2 (Apr 1999): 130–6.
37. C.J. Spak et al., “Fluoride
in human milk,” Acta Paediatr Scand 72, no. 5 (Sep 1983):
699–701.
38. P.J. Riordan, “The place of
fluoride supplements in caries prevention today,” Aust Dent
J (Australia) 41, no. 5 (Oct 1996): 335–42.
© Copyright 2002 Dr. Linda Folden
Palmer, All rights reserved.
Linda Folden Palmer, DC, is the author of the
healthy parenting book: Baby Matters, What Your Doctor May
Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby. She provides telephone
consultations for colic, lactation difficulties, child nutrition,
food allergy issues, and infant sleep challenges. Promoting
attachment and natural parenting principles, she is dedicated
to raising awareness about how powerfully early parenting and
healthcare choices can influence a child's mental and physical
outcomes. Find her at www.babyreference.com.
