From the Guidelines
Fluoride is crucial for children as it prevents tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in the mouth. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, emphasizes the importance of fluoride varnish applications in achieving maximal benefit, particularly when initiated with the first tooth eruption in children. This study suggests that early applications of fluoride varnish to newly erupted teeth, beginning at the eruption of the first primary tooth at the 6‑month developmental age milestone, is paramount.
Key Recommendations
- Children should receive appropriate fluoride exposure through:
- Fluoridated water (0.7 parts per million is the recommended level)
- Fluoride toothpaste (a rice-sized amount for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount for children 3-6 years old)
- Professional fluoride treatments during dental visits
- Parents should ensure children brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and supervise brushing until around age 7 to prevent swallowing
- Fluoride works by remineralizing tooth surfaces and inhibiting bacterial growth in the mouth, making it particularly crucial during childhood when permanent teeth are developing and when children may consume more sugary foods and drinks
Considerations
- While excessive fluoride can cause dental fluorosis (white spots on teeth), the benefits of appropriate fluoride use far outweigh this cosmetic risk when used as recommended, as noted in 1, 1, and 1
- The American Dental Association still recommends fluoride varnish for all children, despite mixed data for Indigenous populations, as the potential benefits far outweigh any risks, as stated in 1
From the FDA Drug Label
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children up to the age 16, in areas where drinking water contains less than optimal levels of fluoride, receive daily fluoride supplementation. Flotrex™ Chewable Multivitamin Tablets with 0.5 mg Fluoride provide 0. 50 mg fluoride in tablet form for children 6-16 years of age in areas where the drinking water fluoride level is less than 0.3 ppm. Flotrex™ Chewable Multivitamin Tablets with 0. 5 mg Fluoride is a prescription product for the clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes of caries prophylaxis and provides supplementation of the diet with ten essential vitamins.
Fluoride importance in kids: Fluoride is important in kids for the prevention of caries prophylaxis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily fluoride supplementation for children up to the age of 16 in areas with less than optimal levels of fluoride in the drinking water.
- Key benefits:
- Prevention of caries prophylaxis
- Supplementation of the diet with essential vitamins
- Target age group: 6-16 years of age 2
From the Research
Importance of Fluoride in Kids
- Fluoride is essential for preventing dental caries in children, as it inhibits demineralization and enhances remineralization of tooth enamel 3, 4, 5, 6
- The use of fluoride toothpaste with a concentration of 1000 to 1500 ppm is recommended for children, as it has been shown to reduce caries increment when compared to non-fluoride toothpaste 7
- Fluoride works primarily through topical mechanisms, including inhibition of demineralization, enhancement of remineralization, and inhibition of bacterial enzymes 3
- The risk of fluorosis (enamel defects) should be balanced against the benefits of using fluoride toothpaste, particularly in young children 7, 5
Benefits of Fluoride for Kids
- Reduces the risk of dental caries and tooth decay 7, 4, 5
- Inhibits demineralization and enhances remineralization of tooth enamel 3, 6
- Provides lifelong caries prevention when used in conjunction with other preventive measures 5
- Is a cost-effective and equitable way to improve oral health, particularly in communities with limited access to dental care 5
Recommended Fluoride Intake for Kids
- The American Dental Association recommends the use of fluoride toothpaste with a concentration of 1000 to 1500 ppm for children 7
- The World Health Organization recommends the use of fluoride-containing toothpastes and other fluoride vehicles to prevent dental caries 5
- Parents and caregivers should consult with their child's dentist or healthcare provider to determine the best fluoride intake for their child's individual needs 4