Water is a necessity for sustenance and is widely consumed by all human beings. It has been proven that certain amounts of the mineral, Fluoride in this water, only make it more beneficial for those who consume it, and therefore sprung the concept of Fluoride water. Fluoride has actively been added to tap water throughout the country provided by local water companies with the sole purpose of preventing tooth decay and promoting overall oral health in children and young adults.

What is Fluoride?

A compound that exists naturally in the environment and found quite commonly at that, Fluoride is a mineral that can be found pretty much anywhere: from the soil to the rocks, water, and sometimes even in the air, we breathe. It can even be found in our bones and teeth, making it one of the significant reasons as to why it helps prevent the early stages of dental decay. Dentists have proven that Fluoride can boost oral health in two distinct ways. Firstly, when consumed, it helps develop the teeth and promotes its durability. Secondly, when it is applied to the enamel of the teeth, it not only strengthens the surface but helps remineralize and rebuild the teeth.

Fluoridated-Free Water for Babies?

Even though fluoridation of water is considered good for most, debates about whether fluoride-free water for babies would be the best option. Even though fluoride helps in preventing cavities from forming in your mouth, it fluoridated water is only recommended for children and adults. Besides, a good way to get your fluoride intake is by using toothpaste with fluoride in it. But what about babies? The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that babies must reduce their intake of fluoride. They can do so by focusing on:

1. Breast Milk

This is the best version of fluoride-free water for babies that acts as the best form of nutrition for them. Unless you have a child for whom breastfeeding is determined to be harmful, you really needn’t worry about your baby’s fluoride intake!

2. Formula

For babies that get their nutrition from formulas, it is highly recommended not to add fluoride water to the formula. This is because the ready-to-feed formula usually comes with enough fluoride intake for the infant, and ideally, this amount should not be exceeded by your little one. The best way to ensure this is going with purified, demineralized, distilled or reverse-osmosis filtered water.

Things to Look Out for Fluoride-Free Water at Home

For starters, now that you know fluoride-free water for babies is a must, contact your water provider to find what kind of water you drink at home. If you use water from a well, have a professional test the fluoride contents before considering adding it to baby formula.

Even if you’re using bottled water, give the indicated labels a thorough read to ensure that the water is non-fluoridated. If it is fluoridated, find out the percentage of fluoride in the water. Don’t shy away from contacting the manufacturer yourself and finding out more information beyond the label. Remember that when it comes to your child’s safety, no stone must be left unturned.

Always remember to add distilled water for baby formula because distilled water is devoid of any minerals whatsoever, including fluoride. As the baby formula (or breast milk) already contains the right amount of fluoride required by the baby, all you need is water that is definitely fluoride-free. This is because fluoridated water contains about 250 times more fluoride, which is a toxic amount for a baby.

Fluoridated Water for Babies: The Risk?

It has been proven that fluoridated water mixed with formula has resulted in children with higher rates of dental fluorosis on their front teeth. But this isn’t the only problem; additional tests show that infants exposed to fluoridated formula milk also suffer from health issues like below-average IQ and thyroid impairments.

It is therefore recommended that below a certain age, children should only be exposed to non-fluoridated water for their own safety. Ever since this news became public, many states have sent out warnings to their people regarding the complications of using fluoridated water. In some states, bills have been passed, asking the water providers and companies to formulate information about infant fluorosis and other potential health risks related to the matter.