In a new clinical report about childhood tooth decay and prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics says kids should begin using fluoridated toothpaste as soon as their baby teeth push through their gums.

The report, "Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting," published online Aug. 25 in the September 2014 issue of the journal Pediatrics, asserts fluoride use is an effective and important way to defend children from dental caries, or cavities, from the emergence of their very first teeth, a news release says.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that although there have been "notable declines in tooth decay among children and adults over the past three decades, tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease of children."

The latest statistics from the CDCP show tooth decay affects 25 percent of all children ages 6-11 and 59 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. As well, at 15 percent, tooth decay is four times more common than asthma among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years.

The AAP, an organization of about 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists, has issuing the following new dental care guidelines:

  • Fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for all children starting at tooth eruption, regardless of caries risk.
  • A smear (the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste should be used up to age 3.
  • After age 3, a pea-sized amount may be used. Parents should dispense toothpaste for young children and supervise and assist with brushing.
  • Fluoride varnish is recommended in the primary care setting every 3-6 months starting at tooth emergence.
  • Over-the counter fluoride rinse is not recommended for children younger than 6 years due to risk of swallowing higher-than-recommended levels of fluoride.

The pediatric group notes that, because fluoride is available through several sources, including food and tap water, and, beyond that, may also be given to children at home and professionally applied, "pediatricians should be aware of the risks and benefits of various fluoride modalities to appropriately advise families to achieve maximum protection against dental caries, and to help counsel patients about proper oral health."