Does Your Child Need Fluoride Supplements?

Talk with your pediatrician about whether your child should receive fluoride supplements. Supplements often are recommended if your drinking water does not provide enough fluoride to strengthen teeth as they develop.

How much fluoride is enough? The American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have developed this table as a guide for when children should be given fluoride supplements.

Fluoride Ion Level in Drinking Water in parts per million (ppm)

Age of Child Less than 0.3 ppm 0.3 to 0.6 ppm More than 0.6 ppm

Less than 6 months No supplementation No supplementation No supplementation

6 months to 3 years 0.25 mg/day No supplementation No supplementation

3 years to 6 years 0.5 mg/day 0.25 mg/day No supplementation

6 years to 16 years 1.0 mg/day 0.5 mg/day No supplementation

For reference:
1 ppm = 1 milligram per liter of water
1 ppm = 0.5 milligram per pint (16 ounces) of water
1 ppm = 0.25 milligram per cup (8 ounces) of water
1 gram of fluoridated toothpaste contains about 1 milligram of fluoride