No Fluoride for Babies, say Dentists
NYSCOF
American Dental Association (ADA) warned its members that fluoridated
water should not be mixed into concentrated formula or foods intended
for babies one year and younger, in a November 9th ADA e-mail alert.(1)
"But 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.
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
NYSCOF news releases in 2000 and 2004 (4,5) cited studies linking
fluorosis to infant foods mixed with fluoridated water. Scientific
evidence here: http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/infant/
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:
1) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/epubs/egram/egram_061109.pdf
2) http://www.nurserywater.com/home.html
3)
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp
4) http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof/_pgg10.php3
6) http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flfluoro.html
7) http://www.nap.edu/openbook/030910128X/html/44.html
8)
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/fluoride_report_response.pdf
9) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
10) http://www.sustainabilitycentre.com.au/FormulaFedBabies.pdf
11) http://ewg.org/issues/fluoride/20060322/index.php
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
News Releases
Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas from Lack of Dental Care
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com