New York - June 2 -- "There is weak and inconsistent evidence that the
use of fluoride supplements prevents dental caries [cavities] in
primary teeth," according to a systematic review of fluoride
supplement research published in the November 2008 Journal of the
American Dental Association.
The authors could find only one study, from China, showing any
fluoride cavity-preventing benefit to primary teeth and that study was
probably biased with a high withdrawal rate, the authors write.
Mild -to-moderate dental fluorosis (white spotted and/or yellow teeth)
is a significant fluoride supplement side effect, they report.
Fluoride supplements, although a prescription drug, were never FDA
[Food and Drug Administration] tested for safety or effectiveness
because sodium fluoride was on the market pre-1938 before FDA testing
laws were enacted. (1)
In 2007, the American Dental Association (ADA) reported on its web
site that fluoride supplements put children six and under at
significant risk of permanently discolored teeth; but never shared
that information with the American public, pediatricians or MD's who
still prescribe fluoride supplements to toddlers. (2)
"This review confirmed that, in non-fluoridated communities, the use
of fluoride supplements during the first 6 years of life is associated
with a significant increase in the risk of developing dental
fluorosis, write researchers Ismail & Bandekar and first published in
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, February 1999, (3) but
posted to the ADA's website July 2007.
Fluoride supplements sought to achieve a similar effect as
fluoridation of the water supplies when it was believed that ingested
fluoride reduced tooth decay. However, the Centers for Disease Control
now reports that fluoride's purported beneficial effects are topical
(4). Swallowing fluoride only exposes children to fluoride's adverse
health effects ( http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health ), such as
dental fluorosis.
"So there is no good reason to swallow fluoride via supplements or the
water supply," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State
Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
Studies link dental fluorosis to children's kidney damage (5) and bone
fractures (6).
"While fluoride ingestion is proclaimed a significant cavity reducer,
there is no valid science to support that," says Beeber.
Up to 48% of school children sport dental fluorosis, the outward sign
of fluoride toxicity, according to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC). (7)
In the Fall 1999 Journal of Public Health Dentistry, dental researcher
and former dental journal editor Brian A. Burt, Ph.D., M.P.H.,
B.D.Sc., University of Michigan Emeritus Professor, writes:
"It is therefore concluded that the risks of using supplements in
infants and young children outweigh the benefits. Because alternative
forms of fluoride for high-risk individuals exist, fluoride
supplements should no longer be used for young children in North
America."(8)
References:
1) August 2000 letter from NJ Assemblyman Kelly to Senator Robert
Smith http://www.fluoridealert.org/fda.htm
2) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/ebd/reviews/fluoride_supplements.asp
3) "Fluoride supplements and fluorosis: a meta-analysis," Community
Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 1999 Feb;27(1):48-56, by Ismail &
Bandekar .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=...
4) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
5) "Dose-effect relationship between drinking water fluoride levels
and damage to liver and kidney functions in children," Environmental
Research,2007 Jan;103(1):112-6. Epub 2006 Jul 10, by Xiong, et. al
http://tinyurl.com/34lj92
6) "Dental and Early-State Skeletal Fluorosis in Children Induced by
Fluoride in Brick-Tea," Fluoride 2005;38(1):44-47 Cao, et. al
http://www.fluorideresearch.org/381/files/38144-47.pdf
7) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif
8) "The case for eliminating the use of dietary fluoride supplements
for young children," Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Fall 1999, by
Burt
http://tinyurl.com/2bnoff
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