Flouride supplement?

We have recently moved to HK. I was wondering if anyone here uses flouride supplements for themselves or their kids. I've been told that the local tap water has flouride added to it, however, we are not drinking the tap water. If so, how do you obtain a flouride supplement (prescription from ped)?


Thanks for your help.

We had the same concerns as you re fluoride in the water for our kids teeth. I spoke to one expat HK doctor and read an article from another saying that the water is fine to drink from a health standpoint and perhaps better for the children due to the fluoride and lower mineral content. The article recommended using a filter jug to remove any metals, and putting the water in the fridge will decrease the chlorine taste. The doctor I spoke to said he drinks the water and has for years and thinks it is better for the kids - he didn't think a filter was necessary other than to improve the taste.

Just found the article in the AWA magazine (Sept 06) written by Dr Sarah Borwein of Dr Lucy Lord and Assoc.

"Although many, if not most, expats drink only bottled water, I have begun to believe this to be unnecessary from a health viewpoint. HK tap water is safe to drink and meets all international standards. If the pipes in your building predate 1995, they are likely ungalvanized, which can result in iron sediment in your water, creating a brown discolouration that is more unappetizing than harmful. Running the water for awhile before use will help......An option is to pass your tap water through Brita filters and then refrigerate it. Some of the chlorine in the water will evaporate as the water stands and you will be left with water that is cold, safe and better tasting.

....disadvantages of bottled water are that it is less regulated, not fluoridated and comes in plastic bottles which are an environmental problem. " To read full article see pg 21 of AWARE magazine Sept 06.

Interesting article AdelaideMum. I have a lot of respect for Dr Borwein, and she's prolific on-point writer.


So maybe we'll rethink....but 'til know, we've been drinking, and cooking with, bottled water and from the age of 2 our daughter has been getting a flouride supplement (poli-vi-fluor) by prescription from a pediatrician friend in the States.


On the the tangent discussion...my reasoning on using bottled water is partly driven by concern for the quality of the water itself--HK water comes down from Southern China by aquaduct, and part of the way it travels by open aquaduct. I'm not sure I trust water from China and I wonder about possible runoff or other contamination as it's travelling down. My other reason for using bottled water is the aged piping system the water runs through once it reaches HK, and the pipes in our building which was built in 1975 and I'm sure were lead soldered. Pipes were in the States at that time too.


Filtering water is fine, if you know what you're filtering FOR. I'd like a filter to also remove heavy metals (e.g. lead) but most don't. Britax charcoal filters mostly address taste and bacteria as I remember (but it's been a while).

We always drink the water but always after it's been boiled. Is this ok? Is flouride still present afterwards?


KW

my thoughts,

I have to admit to still using bottled water for my kids. I've relaxed with teeth brushing with tap water now and since just reading the article I'm planning on getting a Britax jug which I understand removes the metals but not the fluoride. Can you get the fluoride supp here?

I've drunk the tap water myself with no apparent ill affects, but am still in two minds for the kids.

Hi AdelaideMum--


Britax removes metals? I looked into loads of filtration alternatives a few years ago and Britax is certainly the simplist, but I don't remember it addressing metals.


On flouride, no, at least our pediatrician says it's not available in HK. So we've been bringing it from the States and giving our daughter a half dose, which is what our US pediatrician recommended.

My thoughts,


Sorry spelling error - its the Brita jugs that claim to remove heavy metals. I spoke to a rep in Australia and would have liked to have gotten one of the on tap systems but haven't been able to find one in HK. I know Wing On sells the jugs and replacement filters.

They "claim" to remove heavy metals like lead and copper, chlorine, pesticides and organic impurities while leaving minerals and fluoride.

I'm off to Wingon tomorrow to get one. I think the jugs now have a warning indicator on the lid which tells you when to change the filter.

It's a very confusing issue to know what's best for the kids! I've decided I'm more worried about rotten teeth.

By the way I bought one of the Doulton on tap filters but because you have to remove and scrub the filter often which is apparently covered in bacteria I decided to look for an alternative.

Hi AdelaideMum--funny, thought you (and I) spelled Britax--the carseat--I knew you meant the filter jug. Still, I didn't know it'd remove the metals. Does make water taste better though.

We just drink the tap water.....after we boil it. but am wondering why we even need to boil it if it's pretty harmless. I was used to boiling water after living in south america and getting nasty tummy bugs. But I'm assuming now that I'm actually thinking about it if they care enough for the water to put flouride in, they probably have it to a pretty good standard for drinking water too.


Good now I don't have to stress about my kids drinking the bath water so much! haha, no matter how much I tell my 2 year it's dirty he still tries to drink it!

The source for this article is NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, it's from a PR "newswire" on a "biz" web site. The "sources" quoted are taken out of context. Welcome, Dr. Strangelove?