If your pediatrician is concerned that your infant is not receiving adequate nutrition, he or she may recommend that you give a multivitamin with fluoride. Multivitamins have numerous essential minerals and vitamins that may be missing from the child's diet. The fluoride is provided as a way to prevent tooth decay. However, there are concerns that giving an infant a multivitamin with fluoride is not safe.
Types
Multivitamins with fluoride are marketed under names such as Poly Vitamin , Poly-Vi-Flor, Tri-Vi-Flor and Soluvite F. It is available in both liquid and chewable forms. It will usually be recommended that the infant be given a daily dose that can be taken with a small amount of food, juice, infant formula or breast milk.
Dangers
The main consideration regarding multivitamins is that the infant may develop a condition called fluorosis. This condition can occur during the years that a child will develop teeth, typically between ages 1 and 4. It can cause permanent damage to the child's teeth and potentially other cells of the body. Fluorosis occurs when a child consumes too much fluoride. Nursing women should also be cautious of taking a multivitamin with fluoride since the fluoride can pass through the breast milk and be consumed by the infant.
Features
The chief symptom of fluorisis is discoloration to the teeth. You may notice white streaks across the enamel of the infant's teeth. The enamel may also feel rough to the touch. If you do notice these, stop giving the infant the fluoride and contact your doctor.
Considerations
A multivitamin with fluoride is usually only recommended when the amount of fluoride in your area's drinking water is not adequate. Typically, 0.6 parts per million or higher is an adequate amount and will not require that your infant have fluoride supplementation. Your city's water department can let you know the exact amount of fluoride found in your water supply. If the amount is adequate, your doctor will likely recommend a multivitamin that does not contain fluoride.
Warning
Make sure you follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor if you are to give the infant a multivitamin with fluoride. Also, avoid allowing the infant to use toothpaste and dental products with fluoride during supplementation. They should especially avoid swallowing the toothpaste. However, fluoride should not be completely forbidden since it does prevent tooth decay when taken at the recommended doses.
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