You can start giving your child fluoride toothpaste when they reach age 2 years.
Why Age 2?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends starting fluoride toothpaste at age 2 due to the risk of dental fluorosis (1).
Dental fluorosis can occur if a child ingests too much fluoride while their teeth are developing (1). This can cause:
- Discoloration of the teeth
- Pitting of the teeth (visible changes in enamel structure)
Therefore, to minimize the risk, wait until your child is at least 2 years old before introducing fluoride toothpaste.
