Cochrane

Review question The main question addressed by this review is how effective the use of fluoride varnish for the prevention of caries in children and adolescents is compared to placebo (a treatment without the active ingredient i.e. fluoride) or no treatment. Background Tooth decay (dental caries) is a significant health problem worldwide. ...

Improving the dental health of children is a global public health priority. Currently 60% to 90% of 5-year olds worldwide suffer from tooth decay. Understanding how to intervene early with respect to establishing good dental health habits requires an understanding of the key behaviours which either help prevent decay (toothbrushing, twice a day with ...

Although children and adolescents of today have more healthy teeth than in the past, tooth decay (dental caries) is still a problem in some individuals and populations, and in fact affects a large number of people around the world. The majority of decay in children and adolescents is concentrated on the biting surfaces of back teeth. The preventive ...

Unhealthy sugar consumption habits are known to be associated with high rates of dental decay, and fizzy drink consumption habits associated with tooth enamel being dissolved (dental erosion). Members of the dental team routinely assess patients' diets, highlighting areas where this could be improved to reduce disease. This advice might extend to dietary ...

It is assumed that removing plaque (a layer of bacteria in an organic matrix which forms on the teeth) will help prevent gum disease (gingivitis) and tooth decay (dental caries). Gum disease, which appears as red, bleeding gums, may eventually contribute to tooth loss. Untreated tooth decay may also result in tooth loss. Toothbrushing removes some plaque, ...

Tooth decay (dental caries) can cause pain and lead to loss of teeth. In most developed countries, the prevalence of dental caries has decreased in the past 30 years in child populations. Nevertheless, some individuals or populations experience an increased caries challenge and are considered as being at 'high caries risk'. Fluoride is a mineral that ...

Dental sealants reduce more tooth decay in the grooves of back teeth in children than fluoride varnish application but the number of studies supporting this evidence is very low. Therefore, more high quality research is needed.Sealants are coatings applied by the dentist or by another person in dental care on the grooves of back teeth. These coatings ...

Many children experience painful tooth decay which can lead to the tooth/teeth being extracted. Even if teeth are not extracted the tooth decay may be distressing, be expensive to treat and may involve children and their carers having time off school and work. Another Cochrane review showed that fluoride toothpastes do reduce dental decay, by about ...

There is strong evidence that the use of toothpaste containing fluoride can prevent tooth decay (caries) in both children and adults. However, a possible adverse effect associated with the use of fluoride toothpaste is the mottling of permanent teeth due to the swallowing of excessive fluoride by young children with developing teeth. This dental fluorosis ...

Additional forms of topical fluoride can reduce tooth decay in children and adolescents more than fluoride toothpaste alone, but the extra benefit is not great.Tooth decay (dental caries) is painful, expensive to treat and can seriously damage teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay. Fluoride is added to the water supply in many areas. ...