Infant fruit juices may have unsafe fluoride levels

Infant fruit juices may have unsafe fluoride levels
Updated: 1/31/2011 10:59:49 PM
As the debate over fluoridation levels in community water continues across the U.S., a new study has found that some infant fruit juices contain high levels of fluoride. The results will be presented in March at a meeting of the International Association for Dental Research.
In the study, researchers tested 90 samples of three flavors of fruit juice. Each solution was found to have fluoride concentrations of 0.11 to 1.81 parts per million (ppm). Fluoride levels over 0.7 ppm are considered damaging to teeth.

Two Oregon State University researchers have noted that safe fluoride intake can "be exceeded 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."
More than 40 percent of American adolescents suffer fluorosis, a mild discoloration of the teeth.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acting on the recommendation of the American Dental Association (ADA), suggested that neighborhoods reduce their water fluoride levels below 0.7 ppm.
Fluoridation was first implemented in the U.S. nearly five decades ago. According to the ADA, it was, at the time, a critical public health measure, helping prevent widespread tooth decay and cavities.