Fluoride Treatments

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends professional application of fluoride at least every 3-6 months for children with a risk of cavities starting after the eruption of the first tooth.

When brushing your child’s teeth, Dr. Rau recommends a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under 6 years old and up to a pea-sized amount for children 6 years old and up. It is recommended that you have your child spit out any remaining toothpaste, but do not rinse the toothpaste off the teeth.

Fluoride rinses are effective in children with high cavity rates. However, mouth rinses should not be used in children under the age of 6 without discussing this with your dentist first. Additionally, it is recommended to use a fluoride rinse at a time other than brushing since they are both topical applications of fluoride.