- With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Jay Hoecker, M.D.
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus member of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, brings valuable expertise to health information content on primary care pediatrics. He has a particular interest in infectious diseases of children.
He's a Fort Worth, Texas, native, certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was trained at Washington University's St. Louis Children's Hospital, and in infectious diseases at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1989.
"The World Wide Web is revolutionizing the availability and distribution of information, including health information about children and families," Dr. Hoecker says. "The evolution of the Web has included greater safety, privacy and accuracy over time, making the quality and access to children's health information immediate, practical and useful. I am happy to be a part of this service to patients from a trusted name in medicine, to use and foster all the good the Web has to offer children and their families."
Infant and toddler health (6)
- Baby sign language: A good idea?
- Vaccination schedule: Why so many so fast?
- Flu shots for kids: Does my child need a flu shot?
- see all in Infant and toddler health
Newborn health (8)
- Baby poop: What's normal?
- Uncircumcised penis: Is special care needed?
- Induced lactation: Can I breast-feed my adopted baby?
- see all in Newborn health
Infant health (20)
- Baby sling: Is it safe?
- Breast-feeding and alcohol: Is it OK to drink?
- Baby fat: When is it cause for concern?
- see all in Infant health
Toddler health (4)
- Terrible twos: Why are 2-year-olds so difficult?
- Toddler speech development: Are 2-year-olds understandable?
- Poinsettia plants: Are they poisonous?
- see all in Toddler health
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Question
Infant formula: Is tap or bottled water better?
Is it safe to mix fluoridated tap water with infant formula? I've heard that too much fluoride can harm a baby's teeth.
Answer
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
It's considered safe to use fluoridated tap water to prepare infant formula.
Exposure to fluoride during infancy helps prevent tooth decay. However, regularly mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water may increase your child's risk of developing faint white markings or streaks on the teeth — a sign of mild enamel fluorosis. Fluorosis is a cosmetic issue that affects both baby teeth and permanent teeth while they're forming under the gums. In children younger than age 8, combined fluoride exposure from all sources — water, food, toothpaste and other products — contributes to fluorosis.
If you're concerned about fluorosis, you can minimize your baby's exposure to fluoride by using ready-to-feed formula. You can also alternate using tap water and nonfluoridated water for formula preparation, or mix powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with low-fluoride water most or all of the time. However, if you use only nonfluoridated water — such as purified, demineralized, deionized or distilled bottled water — to prepare your baby's formula, your baby's doctor may recommend fluoride supplements beginning at age 6 months.
Next questionKaro syrup for constipation: Safe for babies?
- Background: Infant formula and the risk for enamel fluorosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/safety/infant_formula.htm. Accessed July 9, 2009.
- A letter regarding ADA's "interim guidance on fluoride intake for infants and young children." American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/fluoride_letter_interim.pdf. Accessed July 9, 2009.
- Interim guidance on fluoride intake for infants and young children. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp. Accessed July 9, 2009.
- Browne D, et al. Fluoride metabolism and fluorosis. Journal of Dentistry. 2005;33:177.
- Hujoel PP, et al. Infant formula and enamel flourosis: A systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2009;140:841.
- Flouride and fluoridation. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/fluoride_article01.asp#dosage. Accessed July 31, 2009.
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