July 2017
Dental disease is the number one chronic disease among children and adolescents in North America. Water fluoridation is the most important public health measure used to effectively and inexpensively counteract the disease.

Review the information in: Children and fluoride
By the Seine River Dental Centre
and
By the Manitoba Dental Association

Parents of young children often approach us about about the reconstitution of baby formula with fluoridated water, and how much, if any toothpaste to put on a child's tooth brush. At Seine River Dental Centre, we encourage []

everyone who gets their drinking water from a well (non-municipal or city source) to have their water tested to assess the fluoride levels in their own drinking water.

People can have a sample of their water tested through ALS Winnipeg - Environmental. One of the largest environmental laboratory networks in the world, ALS has the resources and expertise to provide a full range environmental testing services of air, soil, sediment, as well as water, and much more. ALS may be contacted through their website at alsglobal.com. Acquiring reliable data is helpful in making an informed decision.

The City of Steinbach, the closest city to the Seine River Dental Centre, as well as the City of Winnipeg fluoridate their water to 0.7 ppm (parts per million). While some residents of Steinbach receive this fluoridated water from their city, other Steinbach residents operate private wells, which are not necessarily fluoridated. Municipalities in the area surrounding our dental centre do not have fluoridated water.

In a piece entitled "Fluoride for Children" the Manitoba Dental Association also examines this topic, as it relates to youngsters -

Are children the only age group benefitting from water fluoridation?

Health Canada's website states that "the big advantage of water fluoridation is that it benefits all residents in a community regardless of age, socio-economic status, education or employment". The population that MOST benefits are children, seniors, and the hardest to reach - the poor, for whom other preventative measures may not be accessible.

Are young children more at risk of dental fluorosis?

Seine River Dental Centre notes that mild cases of dental fluorosis are mainly a cosmetic concern, as teeth may appear somewhat dull and chalky white in appearance. More severe cases of dental fluorosis can cause pitting, darker discolouration, and weakening of enamel. Dental fluorosis can occur in children between 0 to 6 years of age, when the adult teeth are developing in their jaws. At ages 22 to 26 months, toddlers are developing adult upper front teeth, and are affected by over exposure (ingestion) of fluoride.

The Manitoba Dental Association points out this is why the drinking water guideline is established to be protective of them, and consequently of all Canadians. Water that is optimally fluoridated does not pose a fluorosis problem for any age group. An increased risk of dental fluorosis (white spots on teeth) would be associated with multiple years of exposure to excessive amounts of fluoride. However, other sources of exposure such as the use of fluoride supplements or ingestion of fluoridated toothpaste could increase risk of fluorosis. Parents are encouraged to teach their children to brush their teeth regularly, but to not swallow the toothpaste.

Your path to a healthy and beautiful smile starts here!

FYI: for your information