Fluoride use is the cornerstone of dental caries prevention. There are numerous sources of fluoride which might have different balance of risks and benefits. The first National Guidelines for Use of Fluorides in Australia were developed at a national Workshop in 2005, and updated in 2012. Since then, more evidence on the balance of risks and benefits of fluoride has become available. A third national Workshop was convened in 2019 to update the Guidelines for Use of Fluorides in Australia.

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Since the classical epidemiological studies by Dean, it has been known that there should be an optimum level of exposure to fluoride that would be able to provide the maximum protection against caries, with minimum dental fluorosis. The \"optimal\" daily intake of fluoride for children (0.05-0.07 mg per kilogram bodyweight) that is still accepted worldwide was empirically determined. In the present review, we discuss the appropriateness of the current guidance for fluoride intake, in light of the windows of susceptibility to caries and fluorosis, the modern trends of fluoride intake from multiple sources, individual variations in fluoride metabolism, and recent epidemiological data. The main conclusion is that it is very difficult to think about a strict recommendation for an \"optimal\" range of fluoride intake at the individual level in light of existing knowledge of 1) the mechanisms of action of fluoride to control caries, 2) the mechanisms involved in dental fluorosis development, 3) the distinct factors that interfere in the metabolism of fluoride, and 4) the windows of susceptibility to both dental caries and fluorosis development. An \"optimal\" range of fluoride intake is, however, desirable at the population level to guide programs of community fluoridation, but further research is necessary to provide additional support for future decisions on guidance in this area. This list includes the effect of factors affecting fluoride metabolism, clinical trials on the effectiveness of low-fluoride dentifrices to prevent caries in the primary dentition, and validation of biomarkers of exposure to fluoride.

The EAPD strongly endorses that the daily use of fluoride should be a major part of any comprehensive preventive program for the control of dental caries in children. Regardless of the type of program, community or individually based, the suggested use of fluoride must be balanced between the estimation of caries risks and the possible risks for toxic effects of the fluorides. Such a preventive program should be re-evaluated at regular intervals and adapted to a patient\'s needs and risks. For the majority of European communities, the EAPD recommends the use of appropriate fluoride toothpaste in conjunction with good oral hygiene to be the basic fluoride regimen.

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The 1,500 ppm fluoride (F(-)) concentration limit set up for European cosmetic toothpaste needs to be considered in terms of effectiveness and toxicity. There is clear evidence for a dose-response relationship between F(-) concentration and caries-preventive effect (25-30% caries reduction achieved with a 1,000 ppm F(-) dentifrice). Clinical significance of higher F(-) concentration has not been totally proven. Low F(-) toothpastes (<500 ppm F(-)) have been marketed to reduce F(-) ingestion by young children in order to minimize the risk of dental fluorosis. Their effectiveness is, however, unclear. Fluoride intake and caries risk assessment should be performed by dental professionals and prescription of topical fluoride should be adjusted individually.

Prescribing fluoride supplements isn\'t always a simple matter. Fluoride in drinking water, other beverages, and toothpaste can push intake above therapeutic levels and cause fluorosis. New guidelines from the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics help you decide when and how much supplementation your patients need.