Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice 7th edition

Increased risk

• Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
• Rural and remote populations
• Migrant groups (especially refugees)
• Those with reduced saliva flow (eg. head and neck radiation therapy, Sjogren syndrome, multiple drug therapy including psychotropic medications)

Examination of the mouth

Education regarding prevention

Recommendation of professional or home application of topical fluoride pastes, gels or mouth rinses

At least every 12 months

More frequent dental check ups, as determined by a dentist

IV C 54

I B 86,452

I A 452

• Advise about the hazards of high carbohydrate and acidic between meal snacks and drinks
• Advise against the use of baby bottles with any fluid apart from water at night
• Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Home use of high fluoride toothpastes, gels or mouth rinses for those at high risk
• Use sugar free chewing gum for saliva stimulation
• Use a mouth guard when playing contact sport
• Recommend regular dental check ups

• Inspection of mouth for carous, stained, or worn teeth and gums for swelling and inflammation
• Xerostomia may present as dry and reddened gums and increased caries rate particularly on root surfaces

• Water fluoridation is beneficial at reducing dental caries
• Approximately two-thirds of Australians now drink fluoridated water. Details regarding fluoride levels in Australian water supplies and recommended dosages of fluoride are available at www.health.gov.au:80/nhmrc/advice/pdf/fluoride.pdf