Flouride in toothpaste - can someone explain the pros and cons to me?

[sushistar]

I know they fluoridate our water (we're in London) and we also use a eco-friendly natural toothpaste with fluoride in it (Kingfisher). I'm just starting to brush DS's teeth (he has 2 so far!) and I don't know what to do about paste. I've heard too much flouride can actually bad, but I don't know why? All the baby toothpaste in the health food shop was fluoride free - is that ok, or will he risk tooth decay?
If I do give him fluoride paste, can I just use a smidgin of ours?
Help!

I thought they flouridated our water too, but was told they don't! It's worth checking out for sure though.
Ask your HV for the bumf on toothpaste. Ours gave out leaflets telling about it.

Oooh, solo, I wonder how you find out if your water is flouridated?
I avoid the hv like the plague, the woman's a maniac!

you should be able to check with your water provider voila and find out

pros and cons are debatable
i have heard everything from Great for the public health and keeping your teeth healthy to dumbing down the nation and keeping them sedate while quietly poisoning them

there is this

there is also this

Ooh, Salamander - we are not with south east water but Thames water - I just looked it up and they don't fluoridate! And judging by your other links that may be a good thing...
So if it INCREASES dental disease, why fluoridate? I thought it was a toss-up between reducing tooth decay / other possible negative side-efects. But one of those links said it didn't even help teeth!

I would recomend the use of a low- flouride toothpaste, such as Macleans Milk Teeth. It has a nice, mild taste, and is also very low in flouride.

Also, make sure your DS learns how to spit out rather than swallow.

I'm sure you know all this already, so sorry if I sound patronising in any way!

Waycat, I think I'll get a fuoride free toothpaste for kids from the organic shop. DS is 6 months - how do I get him to spit not swallow?!?