PREVENTION OF CARIES

Caries is an infectious disease caused by the activity of bacterial plaque on the enamel.
Caries remains perfectly painless and invisible as it does not reach the body pulp richly vascularized and innervated. This feature is particularly important for young children, in which the tooth is not yet fully formed. Cavities can progress more or less rapidly for a few weeks and sometimes years, without any pain.

The first permanent molars are the teeth decayed most often in young children. These first adult teeth also called "six teeth appear on the porch to the age of six. Their faces occlusal have many paths anfractueux, often very deep and irregular, in which bacterial plaque is formed and preferentially lies, especially since the toothbrush is difficult to access. Moreover, children of this age do not even brushing teeth and appreciate especially sweets.

Several French studies since 1990 have shown a sharp decline in the index CAD (number of teeth decayed, missing, filled). However, the oral hygiene of the juvenile population has not improved and no change in lifestyle has influenced the overconsumption of sugars.
It is therefore likely that the action of fluorides received by children in various forms (toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, salt, mineral water, prescription products) was the main factor in the sharp decline in cavities.

The recommendations of the proper use of prescription fluoride are:

Fluoride supplementation should be maintained from birth to twelve years,
before any prescription, a personalized balance flows must be established by a physician or dentist,
children under six should use toothpaste containing up to 45 mg g fluor/100 (size of a pea)
in children six to twelve years, fluoride is made possible by water fluoride fluoré and salt. Dosed toothpaste from 100-150 mg fluor/100 g may be used.