Fluoride Do's and Don'ts
- Fluoride can be toxic in high levels
- It is important to know how much fluoride you are exposed to
- It is especially important to know how much fluoride exposure children are receiving
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Get the facts on this controversial topic.
Talk with your paediatrician about whether your child should receive fluoride supplements. Supplements often are recommended if your drinking water does not provide enough fluoride to strengthen teeth as they develop.
How much fluoride is enough? The American Dental Association, American Academy of Paediatrics and American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry have developed this table as a guide for when children should be given fluoride supplements.
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Fluoride Ion Level in Drinking Water in Parts Per Million (ppm)
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|
Less than 0.3 ppm |
0.3 to 0.6 ppm |
More than 0.6 ppm |
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| Less than 6 months |
No supplementation |
No supplementation |
No supplementation |
|
6 months to 3 years |
0.25 mg/day |
No supplementation |
No supplementation |
|
3 years to 6 years |
0.5 mg/day |
0.25 mg/day |
No supplementation |
|
6 years to 16 years |
0.1 mg/day |
0.25 mg/day |
No supplementation |
For reference:
1 ppm = 1 mg per litre of water
1 ppm = 0.5 mg per pint (16 ounces) of water
1 ppm = 0.25 mg per cup (8 ounces) of water
1 gram of fluoridated toothpaste contains about 1 mg of fluoride
Your home's water isn't the only thing to think about, however. Many children drink water from other places, such as a child care provider, school or grandparents' house. In addition, other beverages and many foods contain fluoride as well.