Infant fruit juices may have unsafe fluoride levels
As the controversy over the levels of fluoride in the water supply rages on across America, a recent study has found surprisingly high levels of fluoride in some children’s fruit juices. The report will be released in March at the International Association for Dental Research.
The study involved researchers testing three flavours of fruit juice, ninety samples for each flavour. The concentration of fluoride found was between 0.11 to 1.81 parts per million (ppm). Generally fluoride levels of over 0.7 ppm are regarded as potentially damaging to teeth.
According to researchers from Oregon State University, it is possible to exceed recommended fluoride intakes ‘on a recurring basis when combined with other sources of fluoride intake such as fluoridated water, foods made with fluoridated water, and swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste.”
Fluorosis, a mild discolouration of the teeth, is a phenomenon experienced by roughly 40 percent of American teens.
The US Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the American Dental Association, recently recommended that levels of fluoride in water be reduced to below 0.7 ppm.
Fluoridation has been a feature of US public health policy for nearly five decades. At the time it was seen as a vital measure in helping to stymie ubiquitous cavities and tooth decay.
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