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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to refuse fluoride treatment for child

44 replies

Thingsthatgo · 16/02/2018 07:18

Taking children to dentist today. Last time we were there the dentist painted on some fluoride on my 5 year old’s teeth. (I agreed to it at the time). I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do though. What are your thoughts? (I’m not anti vax, just unsure about fluoride).

OP posts:
BrazzleDazzleDay · 16/02/2018 07:22

They do it to protect teeth right? Why wouldn't you?

Upsidedownandinsideout · 16/02/2018 07:22

My mother refused this for me as a child - ended up with 8 fillings in baby teeth, even though we brushed twice a day and had healthy diets, because my teeth were just weak. Have them as an adult now, not one adult filling! Just make clear to your DC not to swallow

MongerTruffle · 16/02/2018 07:23

What are you worried about? Fluorides are a problem when they are added to potable water (fluoridation had been linked in several studies to thyroid problems). Fluoride is absolutely fine when applied atomically.

MongerTruffle · 16/02/2018 07:23
  • atopically
Fekko · 16/02/2018 07:24

Why did you refuse?

Backenette · 16/02/2018 07:25

It’s fine.

Anymajordude · 16/02/2018 07:26

I had fluoride pills as a child. I have strong, white teeth, am 43 and have never had a filling in my life or needed any other dentistry than a check up and polish.

BillywilliamV · 16/02/2018 07:26

I stopped using fluoride toothpaste when I was 12, didnt loke the taste. 4 years later I had 16 fillings.
i used to make toothpaste. the research is solid, fluoride saves teeth, so much so that they increased the levels in kid's toothpaste from 1200 ppm to 1500ppm a number of years ago. Unless you are absolutely sure your DC is brushing and flossing twice per day effectively, with a 1500ppm toothpaste I would (and do) go for it. As I say to my own DC, you dont want to end up with teeth like mine .

Meandyouandyouandme · 16/02/2018 07:27

I had fluoride painted on my teeth as a child, I’m now 47 with no fillings. I can remember not being allowed to eat or drink anything for an hour afterwards and spitting any excess out.

taekwondo · 16/02/2018 07:29

I'm with you. I refuse the flouride, after doing my own research on it I've decided we won't give it, we also use flouride free toothpaste

NotBadConsidering · 16/02/2018 07:30

Topically, not atopically, and fluoride is safe in drinking water and when applied topically.

Several studies? Thyroid problems? Would be intrigued to read some links if you have them. Hmm

Frustratedboarder · 16/02/2018 07:32

My sister (5 yrs older than me) had fluoride treatment as a child, and at 48 has just one filling. I on the other hand didn't (we had moved to a different part of the UK where it wasn't common practice by the time I was of an age) and have more filings than I actually can count, plus extractions - despite the fact my oral hygiene is waaaay more intensive than hers. Although obviously it wasn't my decision it's my one health regret, and my teeth are a constant worry now - not to mention expense!!

Do it.

Backenette · 16/02/2018 07:34

after doing my own research on it

The words that make the hearts of medics and scientists sink.

Actual peer reviewed research? From actual scientists? Or just mercola/random woo websites?

Fluoride always brings out the crazies, it’s like vaccination. If you’re preventing your kids from using fluoridated toothpaste you’re setting them up for a lifetime of debatable decay and misery (oh but my kids teeth are fine!) yes they are now. Wait twenty years.

Always reminds me of this...m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr2bSL5VQgM

speakout · 16/02/2018 07:35

Check out the fluoride levels in your local tap water.
Fluoride is a natural mineral, occurs in rocks, and is naturally present naturally in tap water and mineral water.
I live in a low fluoride area so have always accepted fluoride treatments from our dentist.
At his suggestion I also gave them daily fluoride tablets to swallow every day from the age of 2- 7 or so.
They are now 20 and 17- not a filling between them.

iammeegan · 16/02/2018 07:40

I think I was given fluoride drops as a child and I now have bright white dots on my front adult teeth. This didn't show on my baby teeth.
I've been told it's because of the fluoride drops.
That was a long time ago though and could down to incorrect use.

There is probably a lot of research on the benefits of fluoride use and personally I wouldn't be put off it being used I my own children.
It's an informed decision on you for your children so use the information available and inform yourself and then make a decision

Poshsausage · 16/02/2018 07:45

I’m really worried about this ! I’ve been giving my son the 1400 fluoride he’s 3 1/2 but has damaged enamel I’m not sure if it’s been too much so worries

PrincessHairyMclary · 16/02/2018 07:47

Every chemical is toxic at certain levels. Many of the studies carried out were done so in America.
The levels of tooth decay have reduced significantly since fluoride has Been added to water, tooth paste and tooth polishes which is impressive since we live in a generation that eats so much sugar.
If you are concerned about fluoride though you could move to Greater Manchester where the water is unfluoridated.

ragged · 16/02/2018 07:55

I'd like to have this for MY teeth, never mind DC.

It's a good idea unless you live in one of the few areas in UK that has fluoridated water. (most those people live in Birmingham, which has massively less tooth decay in kids than rUK).

IggyAce · 16/02/2018 08:02

Both my children have it and DD has a prescription for the high fluoride toothpaste due to the fact her enamel hasn’t formed properly.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 16/02/2018 08:12

I have extraordinarily good teeth. One filling, from childhood, no other treatment needed. I brush twice a day, but that's it, I don't floss as I can't be bothered.

I see the dentist regularly now, and my teeth are always fine, but I once went 18 years between appointments. The dentist I finally saw was astonished I didn't need anything doing to my teeth at all - and attributed it to my having grown up in the north east, where there is more fluoride in the drinking water than elsewhere in the country.

wisterialanes · 16/02/2018 08:15

Pleeease do it OP. I read a 'natural parenting' book when pregnant with dc3 and it said that fluoride was a rodent poison and I became really paranoid about it. DS is going into hospital next month to get 2 teeth extracted and 4 deep fillings under GA. My other poisoned DC have great teeth.

Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 16/02/2018 08:18

Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions, it has given me lots to think about.
My Ds has white spots on his first adult tooth, so I’m concerned that the fluoride is causing it. I shall chat the the dentist, and see what she thinks.

OP posts:
AdultHumanFemale · 16/02/2018 08:19

Growing up in Sweden, the 'flouride nurse' would come around the classrooms every month or so with a tray of little cups of flouride mouth rinse. We'd rinse and swill for a little while and then spit into her bucket. I had no fillings (only just got my first one, aged 43) and it was pretty rare among my peers.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 16/02/2018 08:20

I wouldn’t because to much fluoride applied to teeth causes white patches.

I think brushing twice a day with a decent toothpaste and avoiding sugary drinks etc should be enough.

I think I would be more inclined if shit diet etc.

I’m very against fluoride being added to water as that is a different kettle of fish