Safety of Water Fluoridation

• Recent studies have raised the possibility that mixing infant formula with fluoridated water, particularly for infants exclusively on a formula diet during the first year of life, may play a more important role in enamel fluorosis development than was previously understood.

• Ready to feed (no-mix) infant formula typically has little fluoride and may be preferred for use at least some of the time.

• For decades, parents have been mixing infant formula with optimally fluoridated tap water (a level determined by the U.S. Public Health Service between 0.7 mg/L fluoride and 1.2 mg/L fluoride and maintained by your water utility to maximize decay prevention and limit fluorosis potential) and no association has been observed between infant formula use and an increased risk for moderate or severe fluorosis.

• http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm