Staying Healthy

Advice for the prevention of caries for children and adults

Children aged 0 – 3 years

• Parents should brush their children’s teeth as soon as the teeth begin to erupt

• A smear of toothpaste no less then 1000 ppmf (part per million fluoride)

• Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed at mealtimes only

• Sugar should not be added to weaning foods

3 – 6 year olds

• Brush last thing at night and on one other occasion by/under supervision of an adult

• A pea sized amount of toothpaste 1350–1500 ppmf (part per million fluoride)

• Spit out after brushing but do not rinse

• Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed at mealtimes only

7 years and above

• Brush last thing at night and on one other occasion

• Use fluoridated toothpaste 1350 ppmf (part per million fluoride) and above

• Spit out after brushing do not rinse

• Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed at mealtimes only

When brushing use a manual brush with a small head and round end filaments or a powered toothbrush with an oscillating/rotating head.

Prevention of oral cancer

• Do not smoke or use smoke less tobacco, e.g paan.

• Reduce alcohol consumption.

• Maintain good dietary practice in line with the balance of good health.

• Increase fruit and vegetable intake to 5 a day.

Please see the Oral Health factsheet for more information.

Local Contacts

The following are available for help and advice

Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  Accessibility  |  Contact Us  |  Freedom of Information

Please note we use cookies on this site for the purpose of monitoring usage. More information is available here.