How much fluoride is too much for children?

A Teesside University researcher is investigating concerns that too much or too little fluoride can lead to health problems for young children.

Dr Vida Zohoori is heading up a project that will throw new light on how much fluoride infants ingest in the early months of their lives.

Dr Zohoori said: 'It is well known that fluoride protects against dental decay, especially in young children. However, too much exposure can cause dental fluorosis, a mottling of the teeth. The critical period for development of fluorosis in late-developing primary or milk teeth is from four months in the uterus until 11 months of age, and, in the case of permanent teeth,the first 24 months of life.'

Supported by the Organix Foundation, which funds research into ways that food and drink affect children, she has been working with colleagues at Teesside’s School of Health & Social Care and Newcastle University’s School of Dental Sciences.

Fluoride is found in 12 per cent of the country’s water supplies, and in many processed foods. In the absence of information about the fluoride content of commercial baby food and infant formula, the researchers analysed 200 foods and drinks and found considerable variations.

Now, the team has been funded to carry out further work to measure how much fluoride infants are exposed to in the early months of life.

Dr Zohoori added: 'Very little is known about fluoride in babies' diets so we set out to examine the diets of two groups of children from birth to 12 months of age. Nineteen were from Newcastle, which has fluoridated drinking water, and 19 from Middlesbrough, which does not.'

Parents were asked to record their children’s diet and researchers analysed samples of the foods their babies had eaten.. The first results are expected by the end of March, with the final report due in late summer.

Help decision-making on fluoridation schemes Dr Zohoori said: 'The information we have gathered will provide unique data on the fluoride intake of young children in the UK. This knowledge will inform the role of fluoride in oral health and will help decision-making on fluoridation schemes.'

Since the Teesside and Newcastle teams began work six years ago, 500 food and drink items have been analysed for fluoride content. Dr Zohoori said: 'We’re beginning work on a database for the UK. We feel each country should have its own database on fluoride intake. This will make it easier to recommend appropriate levels for young children, and to help make sure of good oral health.'

---