The American Dental Association (ADA) warned their members, but not the
public, that fluoridated water must not be mixed into concentrated formula or
foods intended for babies one year and younger, in a November 9th ADA e-mail
alert.(1) The ADA joins the Food and Drug Administration in recommending only
non-fluoridated water be used for reconstituting concentrated infant
formulas.(1a)
Ready to feed U.S. milk-based formulas already contain from 0.04 to 0.55
milligrams of fluoride per liter (mg/L) of formula. Soy-based formulas show a
range of 0.04 to 0.47 mg/L fluoride (1b). Breastmilk contains a low 0.005-0.01
mg/L fluoride (1c) And breastfed babies are less likely to get tooth decay.
“Who will alert parents,” asks lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York
State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).
Two-thirds of U.S. public water suppliers add fluoride chemicals, based on
a disproved theory that fluoride ingestion prevents cavities. And, bottled water
with added fluoride is now sold with specific instructions to mix into infant
formula.(2)
The ADA reports, “…infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of
fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed
with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be
susceptible to enamel fluorosis.”(3) The ADA recommends using fluoride-free
water.
Enamel or dental fluorosis is white spotting, yellow, brown and/or pitted
permanent teeth. Pictures:
http://www.fluoridation.com/teeth.htm
Dental fluorosis is the outward sign of fluoride toxcity. Some studies indicate
that bone damage is more common in children with dental fluorosis. (3a)
Some scientists also tried in vain to get the word out sooner as described
in “Suppression by Medical Journals of a Warning about Overdosing Formula-Fed
Infants with Fluoride,” published in 1997 in the Journal Accountability in
Research.(10)
It took until 2006 for the ADA’s alert, following the Food and Drug
Administration’s October disapproval of fluoridated bottled water marketed to
babies,(6) and after the recent National Research Council’s (NRC) fluoride
report indicating babies are fluoride overdosed from “optimally” fluoridated
water supplies.(7)
“The ADA claims the NRC report didn’t question the safety of
fluoridation(8) but it did, as the ADA now admits,” says Beeber.
“The NRC also revealed fluoridation’s adverse effects to the thyroid gland,
diabetics, kidney patients, high water drinkers and others,” says Beeber.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control reports that modern science shows that
fluoride absorbs into enamel topically.(9) However, adverse effects occur upon
ingestion. Further, the CDC admits enamel fluoride concentration is not
inversely related to cavities.
The Environmental Protection Agency is required to consider the most
vulnerable populations when setting allowable water fluoride levels. To protect
babies, allowable water fluoride levels must be near zero.
The Environmental Working Group analyzed government data in March 2006 and
found that babies are over-exposed to fluoride in most major U.S. cities.(11)
“This should end water fluoridation,” says Beeber. “Fluoridation is a failed
concept that must be abandoned before more Americans are harmed,” says
Beeber.
References:
1a) US FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of
Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements, October 14, 2006,
“Health Claim Notification for Fluoridated Water and Reduced Risk of Dental
Caries
1c) Fomon SJ, Ekstrand J, Ziegler EE. (2000). Fluoride intake and
prevalence of dental fluorosis: trends in fluoride intake with special attention
to infants. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 60(3):131-9.
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
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