Knowledge catalog
PreventionK00.3dentistry

Dental Fluorosis — Prevention

Enamel hypomineralization from excessive fluoride ingestion during tooth development

Prevention

  • Use of appropriately fluoridated water (0.7 ppm is the current US recommendation — previously 0.7-1.2 ppm)
  • Use a rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3; pea-sized amount for ages 3-6
  • Supervise tooth brushing in young children to prevent toothpaste swallowing
  • Avoid fluoride supplements if water fluoride concentration is already at optimal levels
  • Use filtered or non-fluoridated water in areas with naturally high fluoride groundwater
  • Monitor fluoride intake in children using bottled water with known fluoride content