Fluoride won't hurt babies

PARENTS shouldn’t be fearful of adding fluoride to their baby’s formula, Queensland Health says.

There have been concerns that the practice can increase the risk of dental fluorosis as some formulas contain a relatively high amount of fluoride.

However, research by Queensland Health Scientific Services shows that infant formulas commercially available in Australia contain low levels of fluoride. Queensland Health’s Dr Mario de Silva said the National Health and Medical research Council had also conducted a review into the safety of fluoride, which didn’t show an association between use of infant formulas and dental fluorosis.

Dr de Silva said the research showed that the critical period for the development of dental fluorosis was after the first 12 months of life, by which time the majority of Australians had ceased exclusive formula consumption.

“Water fluoridation at one part per million has been practiced around the world for more than 60 years... and poses no known health risks for babies and young children.”