ADA says: Don't use fluoridated water for infant formula!

[WhyNot]

This is not, I repeat, *not *tinfoil hat hippie pseudoscience crap, but a bona fide warning from the American Dental Association :

Recent studies cited in the report of the National Research Council (NRC), “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards,” have raised the possibility that infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be susceptible to enamel fluorosis.

The appropriate amount of fluoride is essential to prevent tooth decay. But fluoride intake above optimal amounts can create a risk for enamel fluorosis in teeth during their development before eruption through the gums.

Enamel fluorosis is not a disease but rather affects the way that teeth look. Most cases of fluorosis result in faint white lines or streaks on tooth enamel that are not readily apparent to the affected individual or the casual observer.

While more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made on fluoride intake by bottle-fed infants, the American Dental Association (ADA) issues this interim guidance because we know that parents and other caregivers are understandably cautious about what is best for their children.

<snip>

If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon.

Just thought I’d help spread the word, as I’ve not seen a peep about this from major news outlets. I have one kid with fluorosis already, and he was fed Chicago tap water reconstituted formula. (“Not readily apparent”, my ass. Kid looks like an Appalachian hillbilly.) Now I’m sort of freaking out about WhyBaby’s permanent teeth, because she’s been drinking it, too.

Oh well, no use crying over drunk milk substitute. Off to buy some bottled water until she’s off formula, though.

[Bear_Nenno]

How does one go about finding out exactly how much flouride is in his/her tap water? Besides buying some testing kit or something.

[pool]

This has been known for quite some time.

[WhyNot]

@pool

This has been known for quite some time.

It’s been “known” in the aforementioned tinfoil hat pseudoscience circles, and pretty much dismissed by everyone else. Example.

I have *personally *been concerned for many years because of my experience with my son, but I was assured by licensed dentists that his case was an anomaly and in no way connected to our tap water. (Which never made sense to me, but “They” know better than I, right?)

What makes this different is that it’s a mainstream source. The date on the linked article is November 8, 2006, so it’s not exactly stale, musty news. It’s still not “known” by the ADA - this is an interim recommendation, until more research is done.

[pool]

It has been known that fluoride can cause staining of teeth that have yet to erupt.

[Stainz]

@Bear_Nenno

How does one go about finding out exactly how much flouride is in his/her tap water? Besides buying some testing kit or something.

Contact your municipality office or local water treatment plant to find out.

This is what I did last spring when I was wondering if I should use bottled or tap water for mixing my daughter’s formula. The guys at the Water Treatment plant said it is less than 0.005 micrograms/litre or one part per trillion.