Caries Prevention Flashcards
what is dental caries
a disease of dental hard tissues caused by the action of microorganisms, found on plaque, on fermentable carbohydrates.
preventable disease at an individual level
what are the main impacts of caries on pre school children
aesthetic problems
loss of function
pain
infection
what is the population skew of caries
25% scottish children
75% of the disease
what are risk indicators of caries in children
oral hygiene
diet
bacterial exposure
socioeconomic status
breast/bottle feeding
fluoride exposure
parental smoking
parental oral health status
what is nursing caries
early childhood caries, typically affecting the upper anterior and molar teeth
what is the typical cause of nursing caries
inappropriate use of feeding cups and bottles
three factors to target for effective caries prevention
diet
fluoride
oral hygiene
should fluoride supplements be taken during pregnancy to aid the child
no
how can nursing caries be prevented
- promote breast feeding
- use of a feeding cup, rather than a free flow bottle, recommended from 6 months
- drinks containing free sugars should never be put in a feeder bottle
- children should not be put to bed with a feeder bottle or cup
- soya milk formula, potentially cariogenic and should only be used when medically indicated
when should sweetened drinks be consumed to prevent caries
- mealtimes only
- diluted as much as possible
- take through a straw held at the back of the mouth
- do not advocate for the consumption of these teeth
what are the safe drinks to have between meals
plain water
milk
best high energy food for children
cheese, as it is non cariogenic and may actively protect against caries
what are safe snacks for children
milk and water
fruit
savoury sandwhiches
crackers and cheese
bread sticks
crisps
how to administer fluoride for caries prevention
water fluoridation
toothpaste
supplementary self delivered through drops, tablets, mouth rinses
professional delivery, APF gels, varnishes, slow release devices
how often should fluoride varnishes be provided to children
at least twice yearly
how many people in the UK receive fluoridated water
5.5 million
is there fluoridated water in scotland
no
describe child toothbrushing
started as soon as the first primary tooth erupts
children under 8 lack dexterity, so should have an adult brush their teeth before bed and at one other time of day
what is the child formulation for fluoride
1000ppm
how much enhanced fluoride in duraphat toothpaste
2800ppm
what is the toothpaste strength recommendation for first tooth eruption of a standard risk child
1000ppm F
fluoride recommendation for standard risk 4-16 year olds
100-1500ppmF
how much fluoride for high risk children under 10
1500ppmF
how much fluoride for high risk children over 10
2800ppmF in prescription only
how much fluoride for high risk children 16 and over
5000ppmF, prescription only
how much toothpaste for children under 3
smear
how much toothpaste for children age 3 and over
pea sized
fluoride mouthrinse recommendations are…
not recommended for children under the age of 6
even over 6, need to assess the Childs ability to properly expectorate
two forms of professionally applied fluoride
APF gels
varnishes
how should dental health education be approached
- dental or dietary health education in isolation should not be undertaken as a community based prevention
- form part of an overall prevention plan for individual patients
- more recent movements include sugar tax, and a sugar reduction campaign being helped along by anti obesity public health campaigns
what are the aims of oral health promotion programmes
- reduce the risk of early childhood caries
- young children should be initiated before the age of three years
- address environmental, public, and social policy changes in order to support behaviour change
- help of layer persons and non dental health professionals
methods to diagnose caries
clinical exam
bitewing radiographs
fibre optic transillumination
temporary tooth separation
air abrasion
CO2 laster
electric caries meter
how many bitewings for high risk children
every 6 months
how frequent should bitewings be for low risk children
12-18 months
how much inter proximal caries is missed if bitewing radiographs are not taken
60%
what is mild fluorisis
enamel defect on the surface or subsurface of the teeth due to excess fluoride usage when the teeth are developing.
what are some modifications for individuals with autism when preventing caries
use a softer toothbrush
set a predictable routine with a timer
sing a song or play an app
use incentives and rewards
change the location
brush with pls free paste when asleep
