Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XV · Caries and Preventive Agents · 06

Fluoride supplements

Fluoride supplements are only for children at high caries risk whose drinking water has less than 0.6 ppm fluoride, and the dose depends on both age and the water level. No child under 6 months gets them. Test the home water first, especially a well, and dispense no more than 120 mg of fluoride at one time.

High-yield facts · 7

  1. Supplements are only for children at high caries risk whose drinking water has under 0.6 ppm fluoride.S3
  2. Under 0.3 ppm: 6 months-3 years 0.25 mg/day; 3-6 years 0.50 mg/day; 6-16 years 1.0 mg/day.S3
  3. 0.3-0.6 ppm: none under 3 years; 0.25 mg/day at 3-6 years; 0.50 mg/day at 6-16 years.S3
  4. Over 0.6 ppm, or under 6 months of age: no supplements.S3
  5. Test the home water source (especially wells) before prescribing supplements.S3
  6. Dispense no more than 264 mg of sodium fluoride (120 mg F) at one time.S33
  7. Supplements come as tablets, lozenges or drops; chewable tablets add a topical effect.S33

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.