Using toothpaste in children: The best caries control

At the end of 2008, the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) adopted a Protocol on the use of fluoride in children. The purpose of publishing this protocol was to encourage dentists to advise parents on how to avoid harmful behavior that promotes the spread of Streptococcus mutans bacteria (which is the main cause of caries) and how to best implement preventive measures to prevent caries.

Pediatric and preventive dentistry experts from 25 countries, after reviewing the available professional literature (both recently published and historical studies), accepted the changes and adopted the new Protocol.

Studies have shown that the preventive effect of fluoride is best when it is used topically rather than systemically. This effect is even better when combined with good oral hygiene. The appearance of dental fluorosis was mainly linked to fluoride supplements in the diet, especially in the first 6 years of life. However, research has shown that early exposure to fluoride-containing pastes also poses a risk for the development of fluorosis. It is for this reason that the EAPD has proposed different levels of fluoride in toothpastes for different ages.

- Children aged 6 months to 2 years - it is recommended to use toothpastes containing low concentrations of fluoride (500 ppm) at this age. When brushing your teeth, you should use a pea-sized amount of paste.

- Children aged 2 to 6 years - at this age should use pastes containing 1000 ppm fluoride. The amount of paste that the child should put on the brush should also be the size of a pea.

- Children older than 6 years - from this age children should use pastes with a full concentration of fluorine (1450 ppm) while the recommended amount of toothpaste is 1-2 cm of paste.

EAPD expresses the opinion that the daily intake of fluoride is the basic way of an organized and comprehensive caries control program in children. Regardless of the type of program, individual or joint, the proposed use of fluoride should be balanced between the assessment of caries risk and the possibility of toxic effects of fluoride.

Such plans should be regularly evaluated and adapted according to the needs of patients.

EAPD also advocates that it is first necessary to evaluate the state of oral health in children during the first year of life. Then, the baby's teeth, from the moment they sprout, should be washed regularly, every day, with toothpaste, applied in the form of a smear layer on the toothbrush.

(www.mojstomatolog.net)