When use of toothpaste in children becomes dangerous —Expert

Although brushing twice daily with a fluoride containing toothpaste is good for healthy teeth and gums, a dentist has cautioned against its excessive use in children to prevent dental fluorosis and its other adverse health effects such as cognitive impairment.

Dr Olushola Ibiyemi gave the charge in a Faculty of Dentistry lecture titled “Fluoride: A friend to Embrace or a Foe to Avoid” at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

The expert stated that it should be limited to a smear for children less than three years and pea-sized for children between three and seven years.

According to him, although fluoride in low and controlled doses is proven to protect the teeth against tooth decay and erosion of the tooth enamel, its excessive intake during the period of tooth and bone development may cause dental fluorosis.

Dr Ibiyemi stated that fluorosis causes white or brown discolouration or spots on the enamel, or tooth surface and the effects can range from minor colour changes to surface irregularities of the teeth.

According to him, “an increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis has been reported concomitantly with the decrease in tooth caries.”

The expert said toothpaste manufacturers should undertake regular quality control of the flouride concentration of toothpastes in the market as well as indicate on their packs amounts for children to use and the need for parents to supervise children when brushing their teeth.

Dr Ibiyemi urged oral healthcare professionals to also guide parents in the appropriate use of fluoride-containing toothpastes in children and brushing of teeth twice daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste for healthy teeth and gums.

He declared, “fluoride, if used in high and in uncontrolled doses, can be a foe and it should be avoided because it can result in its excessive ingestion.

“Excessive ingestion of fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis and other adverse health effects. Some people oppose fluoride use because of misinformation.

“There are organisations involved in spreading incorrect statistics and deliberately misleading to win their cause. Others mistakenly think that fluoride does damage to the body even at lower doses. There is absolutely no scientific basis to claim that a low dose of fluoride is harmful.

“While much has been learnt during the last few decades, much remains to be undertaken-especially in clearly defining the mechanisms underlying the metabolism and biological effects of fluoride.”

Dr Ibiyemi also urged that  dentists practising in areas where the fluoride concentration and prevalence of dental fluorosis is high should emphasise the need to limit fluoride ingestion.

He added that dentists should be cautious in providing fluoride therapy to children living in areas with high fluoride concentration  in water and food items if the need arises.