Do you use fluoride toothpaste on your DCs teeth?

[sphil]

I've been using an organic children's fluoride free toothpaste on DS2. Just been to school dentist who has found another spot of decay, this time on a back molar (he already has a spot on a front tooth). She gave me a lecture on how I should be using an adult fluoride toothpaste on DS2 and getting him to spit, not rinse. The problem is, he will only swallow the toothpaste (I forgot to tell her that). She has also recommended fluoride 'varnish'on his teeth.

Does anyone (especially dentists!) have an opinion on this? I know the fluoride debate is a controversial one - for example I've read on here about swallowing fluoride toothpaste making kids' second teeth come up mottled. What would you do in my case? - For those who don't know, DS2 is 5, has ASD and multiple food allergies/sensitivities.
Thanks

I have always used toothpast with fluoride. All dentists seem to be convinced of its benefits and, having heard a R4 programme about it, it does seem to be good for teeth. Many people are under the false impression that our water supply has fluoride added and using fluoride toothpaste is adding to it and may cause overload BUT the water supply (at least in London) does NOT have fluoride in it! As far as teeth are concerned, I would follow the dentists advice. Can you work on spitting out with ABA? Also I allow both my children to have chewing gum, the one that is good for the teeth of course. This might be a way to introduce spitting out?

both my dc's use toothpaste with fluride in it. dd can't spit so just drinks water and swallows. touch wood no fillings as the dentist always goes on about her nice teeth. sadly dh brushes them
ds(nt) hates mint toothpaste so I get him a fennel one (king fisher) and he has just had a filling but it was on a broken tooth.

yes, was advised to use an adult fluoride toothpaste by a dental health worker at surestart

Ds used to see a cranial osteopath who was doing studies/research into osteo- and dental fluorosis. I can't remember the detail of our conversations now (it was a few years ago) but it was enough to convince me that fluoride wasn't as great as it was portrayed and since then we've been fluoride free. We both have really healthy teeth, and J has no fillings at 9 yo.

Water is highly fluoridated in this area and the osteopath had noticed a link between high fluoridation at source and conditions like ASDs and ME/CFS (which I have). Other regions had similar results. I do realise that most dentists would promote use of fluoridated toothpastes and other products but I've chosen to make my decision based on both lines of argument.

Thanks everyone. Have just checked and the water in Somerset isn't fluoridated, which makes me think I will go ahead. Can't bear to think of DS2 having rotten teeth . Have emailed our nutritionist to get his opinion as well - if he says he advises against it, I'm not sure what I'll do!

we don't use a flouride toothpaste. I've read a few mutterings about flouride not being great over the years, and so was not happy about using it even before I knew dd1 was ASD. She just swallows the toothpaste too, not a chance of sitting here as yet.

I think, also, that all standard (brand named) adult toothpastes have sorbitol in them, which is not great if gf/cf. And they also have SLS in, also not a good thing sometimes (my stepson used to have huge mouth ulcer issues until I got him to triple rinse after brushing...)

Dentist recommended Toms of Maine toothpaste - apparently no additives.

We use Aloe Dent for the same reasons.

we've used Tom's of Maine before, nd now use urtekram. we also use the urtekram soap/shampoo - very mild and totally atural, with no perfumes etc, and quite reasonably priced.

dc 2 and 3 brought up in area of no flouride in drinking water and have dental hypoplasia on milk and adult teeth.
dc1 had no dental hypoplasia on milk teeth but we moved to area with no fluoride on 1st birthday. she now has dental hypoplasia on adult teeth.
no decay at all as yet, no fillings, but funny coloured teeth.

just wanted to remind y'all about the water supply where you live as it may affect your judgement on what paste is suitable for yr dcs.