Trusting Authority Can Be Dangerous

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When we took our baby to a public health center, a well-intentioned nurse emphatically stated that we should be brushing his teeth with toothpaste that has fluoride. When I said I had concerns about him swallowing it, she said it wouldn't matter if he swallowed it.

We didn't follow the nurse's advice for one simple reason. "Do Not Swallow" was written on the toothpaste box. We opted for toothpaste without fluoride, aspartame, or any stuff that seemed like it could be toxic to a small child.

Fast forward to several months later: I discover from a medical health authority source that it is *inadvisable* to give children under the age of 2 toothpaste with fluoride in it due to the likelihood of the child swallowing it and ingesting toxic amounts of fluoride. The condition of fluoride intoxication is called "fluorosis."

Dental fluorosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yikes. I'm glad we followed our intuition instead of poisoning our child by obeying the nurse's directives.
#flouride toxicity #fluoride intoxication #fluorosis
  • Profile picture of the author MaxBounty
    Yikes. Good thing you trusted your instincts. I'm surprised your public health nurse didn't recommend one of the various baby-friendly toothpastes that are fluoride-free. We pick ours up at the grocery store so it isn't exactly hard to find...

    Our dentist took a quick peek at our 15-month-old's teeth when the rest of the family went in for our regular check-up and was happy to give us some basic advice. Maybe yours will do the same?
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      That's ok T.
      My daughters doctor gave her liquid fluoride to put in whatever her son drank, when he was 6 months old. She put it in the toilet instead
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      • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        That's ok T.
        My daughters doctor gave her liquid fluoride to put in whatever her son drank, when he was 6 months old. She put it in the toilet instead
        YIKES!!!
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