Dietary Fluoride Supplement Schedule
Approved by the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics,
and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Fluoride
ion level in drinking water (ppm)*
Age |
less
than
0.3 ppm |
0.3
- 0.6 ppm |
greater
than
0.6 ppm |
Birth
- 6 months |
None |
None |
None |
6
months - 3 years |
0.25
mg/day** |
None |
None |
3 - 6
years |
0.50
mg/day |
0.25
mg/day |
None |
6 - 16
years |
1.0
mg/day |
0.50
mg/day |
None |
* 1 part per million (ppm) = 1 milligram/liter (mg/L)
** 2.2 mg sodium fluoride contains 1 mg fluoride ion.
It is suggested that
only children living in non-fluoridated areas use dietary fluoride
supplements between the ages of six months to 16 years. Your physician or
dentist can prescribe the correct dosage for your child based on the
following considerations.
Level of fluoride in
your drinking water. If the fluoride level is not known, it should be
tested first. State and local health departments can provide information
on testing drinking water for fluoride levels.
A complete fluoride
history should include all the your child's sources of fluoride. Don't
forget all water sources, or the amount and frequency of fluoridated
toothpaste used when toothbrushing.
If your child is to
benefit from the cavity protection that dietary fluoride supplements can
provide, long-term use on a daily basis is needed.
Data Sources
-
American Dental
Association, Council on Access Prevention and Interprofessional Relations.
Caries diagnosis and risk assessment: a review of preventive strategies
and management. J Am Dent Assoc 1995;126(Suppl).
- Special Issue: Reference
Manual, 1994–1995. Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatric Dentistry
1994–1995; 16(7):1–96.
- Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics. Fluoride
supplementation for children: interim policy recommendations. Pediatrics
1995, 95(5):777.
Date last reviewed: October 8, 2008
Date last modified: August 9, 2007
Content source:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |