Join the fight against dental fluorosis Published June 2, 2011 By Capt. Timothy DeRuyter 4th Aerospace Medicine Dental Clinic SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - We have all been taught about the benefits of fluoride for developing teeth, but what happens when infants get too much? The American Dental Association found an answer to this question. The good news is most children get the recommended amount of fluoride in their diet. Fluoride, when absorbed in the body while teeth are developing from before birth to 8 years old, is very beneficial to tooth development, however too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis comes in several forms. It ranges from the mild form of white spots that are barely noticeable or not noticeable at all to severe fluorosis, where the teeth become pitted and form brown and black stains. Infants receive fluoride from the water they drink and the foods they eat. The ADA study discovered fluorosis was most likely to occur if an infant is fed exclusively powdered infant formula. This is because most parents mix the powdered infant formula, which contains fluoride, with tap water, which also contains fluoride. This leads to the infant receiving more fluoride than is currently recommended. The ADA now recommends that infants who are fed on an exclusively powdered formula diet should have the powder reconstituted with a non-fluoridated water source, such as water labeled de-ionized, purified, demineralized, or distilled. These non-fluoridated water sources can help stop infants from receiving too much fluoride. To prevent toddlers and young children from receiving too much fluoride, parents should ensure proper use of toothpaste and fluoride containing rinses. When brushing a child's teeth, it is important to use non-fluoridated toothpaste until the child can spit effectively. Having a child swallow fluoridated toothpaste can lead to increased risk of fluorosis. When a child can effectively spit, they are ready for fluoridated toothpaste. It is also important to keep children from eating toothpaste, as this too can increase the risks for developing fluorosis. For more information about fluorosis, please visit the ADA website at www.ada.org and click on the public resources tab.