Dental interventions to prevent caries in children
Guideline Title
Dental interventions to prevent caries in children
Description
SIGN 138 - Dental interventions to prevent caries in children
Recommendations Summary
All Recommendations
Professional tooth cleaning should not be routinely recommended for preventing dental caries in children.
Professional tooth cleaning should not be routinely recommended for preventing dental caries in children.
Children at increased risk of dental caries should be identified early and receive enhanced preventive care.
Children at increased risk of dental caries should be identified early and receive enhanced preventive care.
Dental teams should provide anticipatory guidance to parents and carers about preventing dental caries.
Dental teams should provide anticipatory guidance to parents and carers about preventing dental caries.
Parents and carers should be given consistent advice on preventing dental caries in children.
Parents and carers should be given consistent advice on preventing dental caries in children.
Sugar-containing drinks should be limited and when consumed, should be consumed quickly and preferably through a straw.
Sugar-containing drinks should be limited and when consumed, should be consumed quickly and preferably through a straw.
Dietary advice should focus on reducing the frequency and amount of sugar consumption to prevent dental caries.
Dietary advice should focus on reducing the frequency and amount of sugar consumption to prevent dental caries.
Fissure sealants should be monitored regularly and repaired or replaced when necessary.
Fissure sealants should be monitored regularly and repaired or replaced when necessary.
Resin-based fissure sealants should be used in preference to glass ionomer sealants on permanent teeth.
Resin-based fissure sealants should be used in preference to glass ionomer sealants on permanent teeth.
Fissure sealants should be considered for all children on permanent molars as soon as possible after eruption.
Fissure sealants should be considered for all children on permanent molars as soon as possible after eruption.
Children at higher risk of developing dental caries may benefit from more frequent applications of fluoride varnish.
Children at higher risk of developing dental caries may benefit from more frequent applications of fluoride varnish.
All children should have fluoride varnish applied to their teeth at least twice yearly to prevent dental caries.
All children should have fluoride varnish applied to their teeth at least twice yearly to prevent dental caries.
Children should spit out excess toothpaste and not rinse with water after toothbrushing to maintain fluoride concentration in the mouth.
Children should spit out excess toothpaste and not rinse with water after toothbrushing to maintain fluoride concentration in the mouth.
Children aged 3-6 years should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1350-1500 ppm fluoride.
Children aged 3-6 years should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1350-1500 ppm fluoride.
Children under 3 years of age should use a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1000 ppm fluoride.
Children under 3 years of age should use a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1000 ppm fluoride.
All children should brush their teeth or have their teeth brushed twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
All children should brush their teeth or have their teeth brushed twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.