Fluoride toothpaste efficacy and safety in children younger than 6

The results of this study demonstrate that for children younger than 6 years, fluoride toothpaste use is effective in caries control. However, ingesting pea-sized amounts or more can lead to mild fluorosis. Considering the best available evidence and the continued high caries rate in children, an appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used by children of all ages.

For children younger than 3 years, caregivers should begin brushing children's teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice .

Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children's brushing to ensure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste.

For children 3 to 6 years of age, caregivers should dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children's brushing to minimize swallowing of toothpaste.

It is especially critical that dentists provide counseling to caregivers that involves the use of oral description, visual aids and actual demonstration to help ensure that the appropriate amount of toothpaste is used.