Sicherheit der Anwendung fluoridhaltiger Kinderzahnpasten

The current consensus recommendations of dentistry and paediatrics for caries prevention in children up to the age of 6 years recommend the use of children's toothpastes with 1000 ppm fluoride. The recommended amounts—up to the age of 2 years the equivalent of a grain of rice and thereafter the size of a pea—are well below the internationally accepted fluoride intake limit of 0.05 mg fluoride per kilogram body weight, above which the risk of fluorosis increases statistically. The recommendations consider several factors relating to fluoride intake and have large safety margins until the age dependent tolerable upper fluorid intake level is reached. Reports of multiple overdoses of toothpaste by parents are based on inaccurate assumptions. Repeatedly published negative influences of fluoridation measures on children's cognitive abilities have also been proven to be inaccurate. Current scientific knowledge supports the recommendations for young children as being safe both in terms of avoiding fluorosis and in terms of normal cognitive development, while at the same time providing a caries-preventive effect. Nevertheless, the dental team should inform caregivers about the recommended amounts of toothpaste and instruct them accordingly.