Fluoride for Babies?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its guidelines for fluoride for children.   They now recommend using fluoride toothpaste beginning with tooth eruption.

Here are their recommendations:

• Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children starting at tooth eruption, regardless of caries risk.
• A smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste should be used up to age 3.  After the 3rd birthday, a pea-sized amount may be used.  Parents should dispense toothpaste for young children and supervise and assist with brushing.
• Fluoride varnish is recommended in the primary care setting every 3-6 months starting at tooth emergence.
• Over-the-counter fluoride rinse is not recommended for children younger than 6 years due to risk of swallowing higher-than-recommended levels of fluoride.

View the full article here:

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Recommends-Fluoride-to-Prevent-Dental-Caries.aspx