Reduce the risk of caries in children

Tooth decay: the problem of all children but especially

Tooth decay affects more than one third of children 6 years and more than half of children aged 12 years. However, the determinants of caries are mainly related to eating behaviors and habits of oral hygiene. This is why preventive measures are intended both to reduce the consumption of cariogenic sugars to allow a regular supply of fluoride in contact with teeth.2. This calls for simple messages, but still insufficiently known: do not eat between meals, not eating too much sugar and brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

In addition to these tips on a daily basis, the participation of all children and adolescents exams prevention program to prevent health insurance (M'T teeth) is highly recommended. In addition, targeted screening is recommended to reach out to children and adolescents who have not participated in the program "M'T teeth" on socio-economic representation of oral health or access to professionals.

Finally, in children at high caries risk, HAS recommends that dental professionals perform acts of prophylaxis have proven effective: Fissure sealing, application of fluoride varnish or fluoride gel.

For the general population, the HAS advocates the use of iodized salt in cooking and fluorinated salt rather than non-fluorinated, in respect of the recommendations on salt intake of the National Health and Nutrition. Thus, catering (canteens and catering for adults) are encouraged to use fluoridated salt (in compliance) and to inform users.