Fluoride for prevention of tooth decay:
For preschool children age 6 months and older whose primary water source is deficient in fluoride, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care clinicians prescribe oral fluoride at currently recommended doses. (48)
Fluoride recommendations by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC): Fluoride helps prevent caries, or tooth decay. Water fluoride concentration in the amounts of 0.7-1.2 parts per million are considered to be safe and effective levels for preventing tooth decay. The CDC recommends drinking water with fluoride and brushing at least 2 times a day with toothpaste containing fluoride. Parents should also be advised on use of fluoride toothpaste in young children. A small pea-size of toothpaste is recommended in children. Brushing should be supervised since children—especially those under 2 years of age—may swallow or use too much toothpaste that might increase risk of enamel fluorosis (a whitish discoloration of the tooth enamel). Additionally, fluoride supplements and other high concentration fluoride products (professionally applied gels, foams, varnishes) should only be used in children at high risk of tooth decay and those living in places where the drinking water fluoride concentration is low. (27)