Age-Specific Guide: Children’s Toothpaste – When to Start Fluoride? Selection Tips and Recommendations
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Are you struggling to choose from the overwhelming variety of children’s toothpastes, or wondering when it’s appropriate to start using fluoride?
While toothpaste is essential for preventing cavities in children, using a product not suited for their age may not yield sufficient results. This guide explains how to choose toothpaste, based on recommended fluoride concentrations for each age group.
Start Fluoride as Soon as Teeth Erupt! Age-Specific Fluoride Concentration Guide
Specialized organizations, such as the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend the use of fluoride even for young children who cannot rinse their mouths. The key is to adhere to the appropriate fluoride concentration and amount for each age.
Tooth Eruption to 2 Years Old (Cannot Rinse)
* Fluoride Concentration: 500-1000 ppmF
* Amount: Rice grain size (1-2mm)
* Tip: A gel type that produces less foam and is safe to swallow is recommended. Wiping with gauze is also acceptable.
3 to 5 Years Old (Can Rinse)
* Fluoride Concentration: 500-1000 ppmF
* Amount: Pea-sized (5mm)
* Tip: Choose a flavor that children enjoy, such as fruit flavors, to make brushing teeth a fun experience.
6 Years Old and up (when Permanent Teeth Begin to Erupt)
* Fluoride Concentration: 1000-1500 ppmF (1450 ppmF is the common upper limit for commercially available products)
* Amount: Half to two-thirds of the toothbrush head (1cm)
* Tip: As adult teeth are more susceptible to cavities, it is important to strengthen tooth enamel with a higher concentration of fluoride.
Choosing Toothpaste: 3 Key Checkpoints
- Fluoride Concentration: Refer to the guide above and choose a product appropriate for the child’s age.
- Abrasives: Until all permanent teeth have erupted, choosing a toothpaste that is ‘abrasive-free’ or ‘low-abrasion’ will prevent damage to soft tooth enamel.
- Flavor: Choose a flavor that your child enjoys to make brushing teeth a pleasant habit.
