The National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) recalls the proper use of fluoride in babies. While fluoride is useful in preventing cavities, oral fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops) is prohibited for children under 6 months of age (average age of the appearance of the first teeth). After six months of age, Zymaduo, Fluorex and Fluosterol, to prevent dental cariesshould not be used without precaution. the ANSM website explains the terms of use:
– The Zymaduo, oral solution in drops, is useful in the prevention of dental caries and vitaminoprive rickets (defect in bone mineralization, editor’s note) in infants from 6 to 18 months, when fluoride and vitamin D are both administered.
– Fluorex, oral solution in a bottle with fluoride, is intended for children from 6 months to 12 years old in the prevention of dental caries, “after having carried out a personalized assessment of fluoride intakes”.
–Fluosterol, oral solution combining fluorine and vitamin D, is now indicated in infants from 6 to 18 months, for children particularly exposed to the risk of dental caries and whose total fluoride intake is less than 0.3 mg per day. “These children must also present states of vitamin D deficiency, even though they are using milk supplemented with vitamin D”, specifies the ANSM.
So that parents can understand it, these terms of use will soon be mentioned in the summaries of product characteristics (SPC), the package leaflet and the labeling, specifies the ANSM.
The risk of fluoride overdose in children
Why does the ANSM insist on the uses of fluoride in children? In addition to the fact that fluoride is only effective against cavities after teething, an excess of fluoride in children during the period of mineralization of the teeth can give rise to fluorosis: due to a fluoride overdose, this pathology disrupts the full development of enamel crystals, which becomes porous. If the damage is significant, it can cause staining of the teeth, revealing spots.
However, this enamel mineralization defect increases the risk of caries …
Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste with an age-appropriate fluoride content remains the most effective solution to prevent the risk of cavities in children.
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