Safety of Fluoride Treatments for Kids

Fluoride treatments are used on children's teeth to help prevent decay and cavities when the teeth are still coming in and are developing. Dentists clean the teeth using a fluoride polish or similar item that children spit out during the procedure. There are potential health and safety concerns related to fluoride because it is potentially harmful to your health.

Conflicting Information

• There is conflicting information about the safety and effectiveness of fluoride on teeth, especially where it concerns children. Some scientists, dentists and medical professionals will state that fluoride is safe and effective against decay while others will state that fluoride is dangerous to health and potentially a cause of problems like Downs Syndrome, miscarriage and poisoning.

Treatments for Children

• Fluoride treatments for children include drinking water with fluoride, toothpaste with fluoride in it, fluoride mouth rinses and professional treatments at the dentist. Colgate World of Care states that the amount of fluoride found in drinking water or toothpastes used in the home is a small amount at one part per million, so the amount is considered safe. Dental professional treatments are overseen by a dentist and have minimum age limits so children who are too young to spit out the fluoride are not given the treatment.

Topical Fluoride Use

• Topical use of fluoride on teeth is considered helpful to the teeth and does not usually cause bad effects. Professional dental treatments with fluoride are topical only, which is considered safe and non-hazardous. Children spit out the fluoride and are not permitted to swallow it.

Ingested Fluoride Hazards

• Ingesting fluoride is one of the main health concerns of many groups. High levels of fluoride are considered toxic, harmful to health and potentially life-threatening. There are several potential health problems that might occur in individuals who take fluoride vitamins, drink water with fluoride or otherwise ingest fluoride. According to Holistic Med, potential risks include bone cancer, lower IQ, hyperactivity, bone weakness, adverse effects on immune systems, disfigured teeth, and potentially higher lead or arsenic levels due to contamination. Avoiding fluoride in drinking water, foods or vitamins will minimize any health effects.