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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be concerned about lack of flouride in Scottish water?

38 replies

Spudauphinoise · 04/03/2016 17:16

I recently moved to Scotland from England, and prior to that Ireland. As far as I can see, Scotland does not add flouride to water. However, England and Ireland do. Should I increase the levels of flouride in the toothpaste my children use to counter this? The other AIBU thread about kids toothpaste prompted my question. Thanks

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 04/03/2016 17:22

It's not added to water across England, it's only added in some parts. You're looking for toothpaste with between 1350-1500 ppm flouride NHS Choices

MitzyLeFrouf · 04/03/2016 17:24

I worked for a short while in the Dental Hospital in Glasgow working on a research project into the dental health of primary school children. Scottish children do have the worst teeth in the UK. A lot of the dentists there were adamant that the lack of fluoride in the water was a major factor.

boys3 · 04/03/2016 17:29

only about 10% flouride in water coverage in England. Rough indication of where in the link below.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11430233/The-extent-of-water-fluoridation-in-the-UK.html

Original poster
Spudauphinoise · 04/03/2016 18:39

Thanks. Yes I think many of the kids here do have bad teeth, but there is a huge consumption of juice and sweets which does no favours. My kids' friends seem to think I am cruel as I only offer milk or water, which was the norm when I lived in England

OP posts:
Kennington · 04/03/2016 18:42

Fluoride isn't without risks so it would be better for a health campaign on teeth brushing and reducing sugar.
As far as I am aware there isn't much fluoridation of water in England either.

PickleSarnie · 04/03/2016 18:51

Yes, because off course ALL Scottish people eat lots of sweets and pour irn bru on their frosties in the morning. And all English people just drink water and milk. There's no bad teeth or obesity in England obviously

SirChenjin · 04/03/2016 18:56

It's the norm here too Spud Hmm - bit of a sweeping generalisation

Original poster
Spudauphinoise · 04/03/2016 19:05

I said Many of the kids. This is just my limited experience, I never said all.

OP posts:
VulcanWoman · 04/03/2016 19:07

I don't want my water medicated.

SirChenjin · 04/03/2016 19:18

I only offer milk or water, which was the norm when I lived in England

England is a big place. You'll find up here that (just like in England - I come from dahn sarf) people vary. It's not the norm for an entire country to do anything. 'Many' of the kids don't have bad teeth - what you have (again, as with England) is that children from areas of deprivation tend to have a higher prevalence of poor oral health.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/03/2016 19:23

The water isn't flouridated here either.

Just had a glowing check up with the dentist so doesn't seem to be causing much bother!

Just instill good dental hygiene in your kids and worry less about other children. Wanting juice or pop doesn't necessarily mean their teeth are shit.

Original poster
Spudauphinoise · 04/03/2016 19:25

I am only talking about my limited experience, and from what my local dentist has told me.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 19:25

I'd prefer to be in control of my fluoride intake which you wouldn't be if it was already in the water

dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 19:26

1450ppm is what you look for for children over 3

SirChenjin · 04/03/2016 19:28

Sounds like you've moved to what's classed as an area of deprivation. Childsmile will be active in your area and you'll see improvements in the coming years, but as Felicia says - just concentrate on your own children and don't make comparisons.

QueenLaBeefah · 04/03/2016 19:30

I'm glad that there is no fluoride in the water.

Ickythumpsmum · 04/03/2016 19:36

I'm a Glasgow baby- one of the deprived bits. Both my DB and I never had a filling, never had a tooth out, didn't take fluoride supplements.

My old school friends required very little dental work too.

My own children are growing up in a fluoride free water area and we have no cavities (yet, but won't rule it out)

In my experience it's more about the brushing.

dancemom · 04/03/2016 19:38

So much generalisation and use of stereotypes in this thread!

DoMeDon · 04/03/2016 19:41

Fluoride is a neurotoxin, I'm glad it's not in the water, we're fluoride free here with perfect teeth.

jevoudrais · 04/03/2016 19:43

My Mum is a hygienist. Dental professionals are still taught that fluoride is of great importance in reducing cavities.

For those saying brushing is more important, well yes, brushing with a (fluoride-containing) toothpaste.

There are people completely against fluoride who think it causes brain issues and things.

magpie17 · 04/03/2016 20:02

I'm 35 and have never had a filling, we had fluoride supplements as children - are they still a thing? I live in Scotland (now) and am now worried about DS's teeth!

SirChenjin · 04/03/2016 20:03

Why are you worried about your DS's teeth now you live in Scotland?

kipperydippery · 04/03/2016 20:11

I have 2 DDs. DD1 has great teeth & lived in an area with flouridated water when small. DD2 has baby molar teeth that haven't mineralised properly as they were forming, nothing to do with brushing etc that are causing issues.

She was young in an area without flouride in the water. I think it does make a difference.

The toothpaste we use has the correct flouride ppm, they have the same brushing regime etc

I wish we had flouride in the water here. However I understand that adding chemicals to the general water supply is concerning for many people.

magpie17 · 04/03/2016 20:11

I don't mean now I live in Scotland, I mean now I know there isn't fluoride in the water.

MrsAmaretto · 04/03/2016 20:12

Childsmile is not just for places with deprivation. It has be rolled out to rural authorities where deprivation is scattered throughout a geographical area (unlike urban areas where you can pinpoint postcodes).

childsmile is an excellent program and should be rolled out across the country. It's had a massive positive impact on oral health in my area.