There are no significant side effects or risks. We are often asked about vitamins and fluoride. Pregnant and breastfeeding women help both themselves and their babies by taking vitamins. Vitamins are included in modern infant formula preparations, and come through from the mother in breast milk. In contrast, there is NO evidence that healthy older children need extra vitamins.
Most children get plenty of vitamins naturally in their diet.
Vitamin deficiencies are uncommon, and will usually show up early on the periodic routine blood tests we do. There are individual children with specific illnesses for whom we do prescribe vitamins, but it is not necessary or routine for most. Vitamins do not treat the common cold, nor do they affect allergies, immunity, or hyperactivity. Children up to age 12 years should get fluoride. Swallowed Fluoride gets incorporated into forming teeth, making them far stronger and resistant to decay for a lifetime .