To be concerned about lack of flouride in Scottish water?

[Spudauphinoise]

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

There doesn't need to be fluoride in the water. Use a fluoride toothpaste, brush regularly and spit don't rinse, visit the dentist for check ups, limit sugary foods (best to eat them immediately after a meal)...just the usual stuff.

Ask your dentist. If I remember rightly my dentist recommended a half-dose of a fluoride drops when DS was a baby/toddler. And do use a fluoride toothpaste.

My local newspaper has a regular correspondent who writes in every three weeks or so complaining about the addition of fluoride to the water supply, and warning everyone of the great health dangers.

Yes, I know how Childsmile works . It's a great programme - I have colleagues who lead on it in our NHS area, it's bringing about massive improvements.

There is no added fluoride in the water where I live either. I'm glad there isn't. I think it is unethical to force what is effectively medical treatment on people without their consent.

We see lots of kids where I work with lots of decay which could be prevented if their parents used fluoride toothpaste.

Very misguided IMO to the point of being quite neglectful.

My children (now 23 and 20) have no fillings and the dentist says they are unlikely to need any. We are in edinburgh. I didn't use fluoride drops they used fluoride toothpaste. I have loads of fillings. (Newcastle born and bred) husband 1 filling in his 40s brought up in Kenya canada and Australia. Had fluoride drops.

Pleased to see the positive comments about Childsmile
www.child-smile.org.uk

It's very interesting to me how understanding increases.

When my elder kids were little it was drummed into us that if they had adult toothpaste or fluoride drops unless as part of prescribed treatment they would get patchy stained teeth and fluoride poisoning and we would never be able to fix their teeth.

It sounds bonkers now

YABU

Been reading all posts re England/ Scottish dental health debate .. my adolescent children have zero cavities and I , their mother and to complicate matters a dentist 😬 with a very sweet Scottish tooth to make my point viable .. I allowed them sweets every day .. my 21 loves a can of fizzy juice , who wouldn’t ?
My 20 year old chooses water.. if your teeth are thoroughly cleaned of bacteria ( plaque ) daily then no sugar can cause decay .. at uni we did clinical small trials and meant no brushing for 2 weeks .. decay doesn’t happen overnight .. it’s fine to miss a night now and again.. long term inadequate dental brushing and daily sugar more than 3 times per day ( including hidden sugars like ketchup ,cereal bars etc etc ) will tip the daily balance re sugar and acid attack on teeth .. no cavities and I’m not doing any magic .. both my adolescent children have a sweet tooth thanks to me .. hygiene and nagging work and become ingrained .. I am relieved 😅 as zero dental decay so doing something right in the land of yummy IRN BRU

You really need to do the true research concerning fluoride, it does far more harm to your children, and doesn't protect their teeth non floride toothpaste is essential to not dumbing your child down.

Lived in Glasgow my whole life, never had a filling or cavity and I'm 30. Use flouride toothpaste, brush well and regularly, and keep your judgement and snobbery to yourself and you'll get along just fine.