Fluoride

Question 1

Age 0-3, low risk

Answer 1

1000 ppm
Smear
Brush 2x when tooth erupts
Sugar consumed not more than 4 times per day
Sugar-free medicines

Question 2

Age 0-3, high risk

Answer 2

Smear/ pea-sized
1350-1500ppm
Sugar-free medicines
F varnish 3-4 times per year (2.2% F)
Fluoride supplements
Investigate diet and assist to adopt good dietary practice

Question 3

Age 3-6, low risk

Answer 3

1350-1500ppm
Pea-sized
Brush at night and on one other occasion
Spit, do not rinse
Parents supervise tooth brushing
Sugar-free medicines
Fluoride varnish 2x per year (2.2%F)

Question 4

Age 3-6, high risk

Answer 4

Smear/ pea-sized
1350-1500ppm
Sugar-free medication
F varnish 3-4x per year (2.2% F)
Fluoride supplement 
Investigate diet and assist to adopt dietary practice

Question 5

Age 7 or above, low risk

Answer 5

> 1350ppm
Brush at night and one other occasion
Spit, don't rinse
Sugar consumed not more than 4 times per day
F varnish twice a year (2.2% F)

Question 6

Age 7 or above, high-risk

Answer 6

> 1350ppm
All of above
F mouth rinse (0.05% NaF) at different time to brushing
Recommend oscillating/ rotating toothbrush
Fissure seal permanent molars
F varnish 3-4 times per year (2.2% F)
8+, fluoride rinse
10+, 2800ppm
16+, 5000ppm
Investigate diet and adopt good dietary practice

Question 7

Fluoride supplements

Answer 7

6 months - 3 years: 0.25 mgF daily
3 years - 6 years: 0.5mg F daily
6 years and above: 1.0mg F daily

Question 8

5 year old with caries of most primary teeth

Answer 8

Diet diary
Apply fluoride varnish at least twice a year (3-4)
Pea sized amount of 1350-1500ppm with supervision

Question 9

15 year old with caries of most permanent teeth

Answer 9

Prescribe 2800ppm toothpaste
Fluoride varnish at least twice (3-4) a year
Prescribe fluoride rinse - daily (0.05%)

Question 10

3 year old with caries and bed with bottle of juice

Answer 10

Smear of 1350-1500ppm toothpaste with supervision
Fluoride varnish twice a year
Consider fluoride varnish supplements e.g. 0.5mg F tablets if not in water fluoridated area

Question 11

12 year old with 1 filling and ortho

Answer 11

2800ppm toothpaste
0.05% F mouthrinse
Varnish at least twice a year

Question 12

Action of fluoride

Answer 12

Inhibits demineralisation and promotes remineralisation

Disrupts glycolytic pathway of bacteria so they are unable to metabolise sugars from diet

Question 13

Why fluoride? To child

Answer 13

Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria in the mouth

• remineralises teeth
• disrupts glycolytic pathway of bacteria so they are unable to metabolise sugars from diet