Policy Statement (2018) – Promoting Oral Health with Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste is the most widely used and effective local fluoride measure for preventing dental caries.

The use of fluoride toothpaste, either alone or in combination with fluoridated water sources, has been the main reason for the global decline in dental caries since the 1970s.

There is ample evidence to suggest that fluoride toothpaste containing 1000-1500ppm of fluoride can prevent, arrest, and treat dental caries.

It is recommended that everyone use fluoride toothpaste containing 1000-1500ppm of fluoride for caries prevention, and:

Brush at least twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time, preferably spitting out toothpaste foam without rinsing afterward. Brushing at night is particularly important.

After the eruption of primary teeth, parents should assist children with brushing using fluoride toothpaste.

The amount of fluoride toothpaste used for children under three years old should be based on recommendations from experts in each country.

For children aged three to six years old, the recommended amount is the size of a pea, under parental supervision.

Personal maintenance and supervised use of fluoride toothpaste for brushing:

Ages 6-12 months: The size of a grain of rice, 1000ppm

Ages 1-2 years: The size of a grain of rice, 1000ppm

Ages 3-6 years, low risk: The size of a pea, 1000ppm

Ages 3-6 years, high risk: The size of a pea, 1450ppm