Over 50 years ago, children in Newburgh and Kingston, New York became part of an experiment to see if artificial water fluoridation reduces tooth decay. Two subsequent studies reported the gap narrowing. In 1950, drinking water fluoridated 1 part per million delivered 1 milligram fluoride per every quart of water consumed. It was the dosage physicians determined would reduce children's tooth decay without objectionable dental fluorosis. However, that was during a time when most children's diets had negligible fluoride levels.
Recent studies reveal alarming increases in dental fluorosis.
As a result, the Food and Drug Administration advises parents, on fluoridated toothpaste packages, to watch their young children brush with just a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and to make sure they don't swallow any. The American Dental Association also reminds parents no fluoride supplement is recommended for infants under six months, or if the drinking water is fluoridated at a concentration greater than 0.7 parts per million. To reduce dental fluorosis further, Kumar and Green instruct dentists and physicians to prescribe fluoride therapy based upon patients' total fluoride exposure. Children's fluoride exposure should be controlled like all prescription drugs and monitored for side effects like any other drug. The only way to remove embarrassing fluorosis stains is through bonding, capping or other expensive dental procedures that usually aren't covered by insurance.