Oral Health is important to general health and wellbeing.  Poor oral and dental health can affect a person's ability to eat, speak and socialise normally.  Tooth decay and gum disease are the most common dental problems in the UK.

 

Please see below guidance:

 

Prevention of tooth decay in children aged 0 - 6 years:

 

• breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for babies
• from 6 months of age infants should be introduced to drinking from a free-flow cup, and from age 1 year feeding from a bottle should be discouraged
• sugar should not be added to weaning foods or drinks
• parents or carers should brush or supervise toothbrushing
• as soon as teeth erupt in the mouth, brush them twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste
• brush last thing at night and on one other occasion
• use toothpaste containing no less than 1000 parts per million (ppm) fluoride
• it is good practice to use only a smear of toothpaste
• the frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced
• sugar-free medicines should be recommended

 

All children aged 3 - 6 years:

 

• brush at least twice daily, with a fluoridated toothpaste
• brush last thing at night and on one other occasion
• brushing should be supervised by a parent or carer
• use fluoridated toothpaste containing more than 1000 ppm fluoride.  It is good practice to use a pea-sized amount
• spit out after brushing and do not rinse, to maintain fluoride concentration levels
• the frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced

           sugar-free medicines should be recommended

 

Children aged 0 - 6 years giving concern (e.g. those likely to develop decay, those with special needs)  All advice above plus:

• use fluoridated toothpaste containing 1350 - 1500 ppm fluoride
• it is good practice to use only a smear or pea-sized amount where medication is given frequently or long term, request that it is sugar free

 

Prevention of decay in children aged 7 year and young adults:

• brush at least twice daily, with a fluoridated toothpaste
• brush last thing at night and on at least 1 other occasion
• use fluoridated toothpaste (1350 - 1500ppm fluoride)
• spit out after brushing and do not rinse
• the frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced

 

Those giving concern (e.g. those with obvious current active decay, those with ortho appliances, dry mouth, other predisposing factors, those with special needs)  All of the above plus:

 

• use a fluoride mouth rinse daily (o.o5% NaF-) at a different time to brushing

 

All adults:

• brush at least twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste
• brush last thing at night and on at least 1 other occasion
• use fluoridated toothpaste with at least 1350ppm fluoride
• spit out after brushing and do not rinse
• the frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced

 

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT YOUR DENTIST ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MAINTAIN HEALTH TEETH AND GUMS.