Opponents of water fluoridation have brandished a new weapon: a fluoride-free baby tooth cleaner that the Gerber Products Co. markets as safe and gentle.

Nashua resident Paul Harrington, president of New Hampshire Citizens for Health and Freedom, said Gerber was obviously concerned about a baby's overexposure to fluoride.

But a Manchester city health official said the opponents were dragging up old fears about fluoride overexposure.

"The public has spoken and said we favor fluoride," said Richard DiPentima, deputy Manchester health officer.

DiPentima said it's fine that Gerber has not included fluoride in its tooth cleanser.

"If we have fluoride in the water, we don't need these other supplements," DiPentima said.

He also said the side-effects of too much fluoride--hard-to-detect white spots on teeth termed mild fluorosis--are preferable to rotted or lost teeth, which occurs in communities without fluoridated drinking water.

The side effects are expected to show up in about 10 percent of the population.

In November, Manchester voters approved fluoridation. City Water Works officials are now seeking permits to add the chemical to city water.

They expect it will be added sometime this summer.

Fluoride opponents are pushing the Board of Water Commissioners to hold a public hearing and formal vote on the issue. Commissioners have expressed no inclination for doing so.

Last week, Harrington distributed material about the new Gerber Tooth & Gum Cleanser.

The Gerber Web site calls the product a "safe, gentle way to keep your babies teeth clean."

"Unlike regular toothpaste, it doesn't contain fluoride, an ingredient that in large doses isn't good for babies," the Gerber promotional material reads.

In the magazine Pediatric Basics, an official at Gerber noted the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics have changed previous recommendations regarding fluoride.

Infants under 6 months in age do not need fluoride supplements in their diets, wrote Nicholas W. Hether, Ph.D., director of product safety and regulatory sciences for Gerber.

When asked if Gerber supports fluoridation of public water supplies, Hether said the company relied on government agencies and professional societies to make such determinations.

"They're realizing young children shouldn't get too much of it," Harrington said.

Foods, beverages and medicines prepared in communities with fluoridated water contain traces of that fluoride, he said. Those products are then sold throughout the country, in communities that both fluoridate and don't fluoridate.

So a new mother putting fluoride in her child's bottle doesn't know whether she's giving her child too much fluoride, Harrington said.

"People aren't aware of their total fluoride intake," he said.

But DiPentima said that adding fluoride to drinking water would actually be a better way to control exposure.

Here is Gerber's Press Release:

Gerber Cares for Babies from Top to Bottom, Inside and Out:
Introduces Complete Line of Gerber Wellness(TM) Products

Thursday March 9, 2000

SUMMIT, N.J., March 9/PRNewswire/-- It's no surprise babies' bodies and skin need to be treated and comforted with tender loving care. That's why the new line of Wellness(TM) products from Gerber is a welcome arrival for parents and their little ones.

The line, which was officially unveiled today at a press event in New York City, includes baby shampoo, baby washes, gas drops, tooth and gum cleanser, diaper rash lotion and vitamin drops. It features many new items, including the first Baby Wash with calming lavender for bedtime; non-sticky Diaper Rash Lotion that glides on clear, and Tooth and Gum Cleanser designed just for babies.

Dental Care

"Statistics show that half of all babies develop gum diseases by their second birthday," said Greene. "That's why good dental care is critical from the start. The food babies eat and drink can leave a film on their teeth and mouths, which may allow bacteria to grow. It's important to begin cleansing babies' gums everyday when they're around three months old," according to Greene.

The new Gerber Tooth and Gum Cleanser has a great-tasting natural apple-banana flavor and is made with ingredients that are safe to swallow. It contains no fluoride or saccharin.

Additional information on Gerber Wellness products are available via the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-4-GERBER or the website, www.gerber.com.