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Dentistry/more fluorosis questions

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Expert: - 11/22/2004


Question
Sorry to bother you again, but can you tell me the maximum amount of fluoride per day advisable for a toddler (18-33 months old)?  I tested our water and it was almost 1.0 ppm fluoride.  High, right?  She drinks about 32-40 ounces per day and always has.  (I am the one who wrote about my toddler swallowing fluoride toothpaste since the age of 18 mos).  Anyway, how many milligrams of fluoride per day is too  much?

Thanks again, you are so helpful.

Answer
Hi again,
When natural fluoride levels in water are adjusted they are brought up to 1.0 ppm fluoride. However the science  is a little more complicated: in summer when children drink more water the levels are kept around .7ppm, as you get toward winter they are increased to around 1.0 ppm.
In order for recognizable (mild) fluorosis to occur in your daughter teeth, it has been calculated that she would have to receive around 2.8-3.5 mg' , per day for an extended (more than two months) period of time. There is some fluoride in the food she eats, and the water she drinks, however there is no indication to me that she is getting "too much fluroide."  Remember fluoride is the eleventh most common mineral on earth, it is not an additive in your water, the fluoride level is adjusted to one that is considered protective.
Flourosis is not a disease, it becomes  a cosmetic problem only when it is moderate or severe.
Hope this helps allay your fears,
enjoy the Holiday with your lovely daughter.
DRSJMOSS

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Stephen J. Moss

Expertise

I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.

Experience

Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.

Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center

Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India

Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.

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