What About Fluoride?
Offering functionally advanced toothbrushes for children that do not need toothpaste, we often get asked the question "what about fluoride?"
Some parents are concerned that kids not using toothpaste with fluoride will develop unnecessary cavities.
Our Thera Wise Childrens toothbrushes are designed for young children who may not be able to properly rinse toothpaste or are potentially eating toothpaste, this can be a problem especially depending on the brand of toothpaste used. As you may know, there’s some debate over the safety of sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophospate, added to water and dental products. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend using fluoride toothpaste until at least the age of two or before a child is able to effectively spit toothpaste along with proper swallowing reflexes (which is usually closer to the age of three). It also discourages the use of fluoride rinses in children due to the associated risks.
For some time now we have knowns that fluoridation of water and through dental use during pregnancy can be a concern. Studies have shown that fluoride crosses the placenta and that it accumulates in brain regions involved in learning and memory by altering proteins and neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Lab studies suggest that this fluoride accumulation results in lasting memory impairment.
More recently one of the Journals of Medicine JAMA Pediatrics published results from a larger study group taking optimally fluoridated water.
Funded by the Canadian government and the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Science, the new study titled "Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring in Canada" examined the association between fluoride exposure during pregnancy and the IQ scores of the children at ages 3 and 4 years of age. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2748634
The study's authors concluded:
"…maternal exposure to higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy was associated with lower IQ scores in children aged 3 to 4 years. These findings indicate the possible need to reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy."
Armed with the above information, it is likely best to be cautious of fluoride intake during pregnancy and with infants and young children.
All said we are big believers in health freedom and respect the decisions of parents. We always let parents know that it is fine to use toothpaste with our no toothpaste needed toothbrushes, you will still get the same benefits.