Frequently Asked Questions Children, Water, and Fluoride From the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Fluoride is safe and necessary, but only at appropriate levels. Externally, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel on the surface of the teeth. Children between 6 months and age 16 should take in fluoride every day.
Water fluoridation is the safest and most cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay.
Two of the most common sources of fluoride are tap water and fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride occurs naturally in some water, but in most major municipalities it is added to the water to help prevent tooth decay. As more parents turn to bottled water for drinking and food preparation, pediatric dentists are concerned about whether children will get enough fluoride. Most bottled water brands do not contain the level of fluoride recommended by the AAPD, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, US Public Health Service, and the World Health Organization. Pediatric dentists recommend that children who regularly drink bottled water, well water, or unfluoridated tap water get fluoride in some other way.