Fluoride, toothpaste alternatives

Also remember to use a toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. From
http://www.fluoridealert.org:


"Fluoridated water is no longer recommended for babies. In November of 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) advised that parents should avoid giving babies fluoridated water (3). Other dental researchers have made similar recommendations over the past decade (4).

Babies exposed to fluoride are at high risk of developing dental fluorosis - a permanent tooth defect caused by fluoride damaging the cells which form the teeth (5). Other tissues in the body may also be affected by early-life exposures to fluoride. According to a recent review published in the medical journal The Lancet, fluoride may damage the developing brain, causing learning deficits and other problems (6)."

Fluoride is a potent neurotoxin and children tend to swallow it when they brush with it. In addition, you don't want your child ingesting it, and we now know that consuming fluoride does not prevent dental decay (i.e., it's outrageous that this poison is added to municipal drinking water).

Glycerin, an ingredient in most toothpastes, will also prevent your and your child's teeth from getting fully clean during brushing. (See the work of Drs. Judd and Nara for more on healthy teeth in general.) Over at the oil pulling forum, we went through this a few months ago -- researching tooth care and what to brush with after giving up commercial toothpastes. Many switched to bar soap, which one of those doctors recommends and which does leave the teeth feeling super-clean (bbut which takes some getting used to!)

I settled on a tooth powder I make at home using a 1:1:1 mix of baking soda, Sea Salt , and xylitol (antibacterial by nature, and which is linked to ear-infection prevention, and also to tooth health in children as it can help build teeth). When my girls "brush" I just dip their brushes into the powder and encourage them to scrub away. They will do it for a little while as I am sure they love the xylitol (it's a Sugar but it can't be absorbed by the body). When I get more coconut oil I will use that instead of water for moistening the brushes (for all of us). And I store brushes in a jar with some Iodine added.

I think No_Biz is right on target with the idea that tooth decay is caused by poor nutrition and diet. Stay away from processed grains and sugars in general and you will do a lot for your child's teeth -- and health in general!

Best,

Laura