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The American Dental Association released updated guidelines on when children should start using fluoride toothpaste.

According to the new guidelines, the dentist association suggested children begin using toothpaste with fluoride as soon as they get their first teeth in order to avoid cavities.

Previous guidelines recommended parents use only water to brush the teeth of children under 2. However, the updated version said parents should use about the size of a grain of rice of toothpaste for children under 3, and a pea-sized portion for kids ages 3 to 6.

The ADA said promoting fluoride toothpaste use at a younger age will help ward off cavities and fluorosis, a mild discoloration of the teeth.

ADA’s new guidelines appeared in the February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.