Fluoride Toothpaste: Benefits, Safety, Uses and How to Choose the Right One

Fluoride toothpaste: what the UK evidence says and how to choose

Fluoride toothpaste is the best-evidenced step in everyday tooth care. Used twice a day, it lowers the risk of tooth decay in children and adults, and no other product in the bathroom cabinet has been tested as thoroughly.

Yet the aisle makes it confusing. Packs shout about whitening, sensitivity, charcoal and “natural” formulas, while the one number that decides whether a paste protects your teeth is printed in small type: the fluoride content in parts per million (ppm).

Parents face a second worry. You may have heard that fluoride is risky for small children, or read that it is unnecessary. Both claims have a grain of truth and a lot of missing context.

This guide sorts it out using current UK guidance, mainly the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities toolkit Delivering Better Oral Health. You will find:

• how fluoride toothpaste actually protects enamel
• the right strength and amount at every age, from the first tooth onwards
• what the safety evidence says, including dental fluorosis
• how to read a tube, and how to choose for your own mouth
• the mistakes that quietly cancel out the benefit

Jump to the section you need, or read it through once and keep the age table handy.

What is fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride toothpaste is toothpaste that contains a fluoride compound, such as sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, to strengthen enamel and help reverse early tooth decay. UK guidance recommends at least 1,000 ppm for children and 1,350 to 1,500 ppm for anyone aged 7 and over, including adults.

That single definition carries three ideas worth separating, because most confusion comes from mixing them up.

• Fluoride is a mineral that protects teeth when it is present in small amounts, often, at the tooth surface.
• ppm (parts per million) is the strength. A paste of 1,450 ppm holds roughly 1.45 mg of fluoride in every gram of paste.
• The compound is the form the fluoride comes in. Sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride and amine fluoride all appear on UK tubes. The UK toolkit notes that strength matters more than which compound is used, so the ppm figure is the number to look for.

How fluoride toothpaste works

Enamel is constantly losing and regaining mineral. Each time plaque bacteria digest sugar, they make acid. The acid pulls calcium and phosphate out of the enamel (demineralisation). Between those acid attacks, saliva calms the acid and returns minerals to the tooth (remineralisation).

Decay starts when losses outrun gains. Fluoride tips that balance in three ways:

1. It speeds up remineralisation. Fluoride held in plaque and saliva helps minerals redeposit in weakened enamel, repairing early damage before a cavity forms.
2. It makes the repaired enamel tougher. Fluoride is built into the mineral crystal, and that version dissolves less easily in acid than enamel without it.
3. It slows the bacteria. At the tooth surface, fluoride interferes with the way plaque bacteria produce acid.

The UK toolkit explains the practical consequence: regular exposure keeps fluoride in the plaque biofilm, which encourages remineralisation of the tooth surface. The effect depends on frequency and staying power, not a single large dose.

A simple framework: strength, frequency, retention

Most advice on fluoride toothpaste can be sorted into three levers. Weakness in any one reduces the benefit, however good the other two are.

Keep this table in mind. The rest of the guide is essentially a close look at each row.

Benefits and limitations of fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste prevents tooth decay, and the protection grows with fluoride strength. It is not a complete defence, though, and knowing where it stops helps you build a routine that works.

What the evidence shows

• Toothpaste at 1,000 ppm or above prevents decay in both baby and adult teeth. The UK toolkit rates this as moderate-to-high-certainty evidence.
• Strength changes the result. In a Cochrane review of 75 studies of children and adolescents, pastes at 1,000 to 1,250 ppm cut new decay by about 23% compared with a dummy paste. Pastes at 2,400 to 2,800 ppm cut it by about 36%. Pastes at 550 ppm or below showed no significant benefit.
• Frequency changes the result. The UK toolkit reports that moving from brushing once a day to twice a day lowers decay risk by 14%.
• Technique around the brushing matters. Higher-strength paste, twice-daily brushing and not rinsing afterwards were linked to less decay in teenagers.

These are population averages from trials, so they describe how the odds shift rather than a guarantee for one mouth. A person who snacks on sugar all day gains less from the same paste than a person who keeps sugar to mealtimes.

Who benefits most

• Children from the first tooth. Baby teeth have thinner enamel, and decay in them can spread quickly.
• Teenagers. New permanent teeth, braces and a sugary diet make this a high-risk decade.
• Adults with gum recession. Exposed root surfaces decay more easily than enamel, and the UK tables recommend high-fluoride paste for adults with active root decay.
• Anyone with a dry mouth. Less saliva means less natural repair, so topical fluoride does more of the work.
• People with frequent snacks, sweet drinks or reflux. More acid attacks per day means more need for protection.

What fluoride toothpaste cannot do

One more limit is easy to miss. Fluoride toothpaste is the base layer, not the ceiling. For children at higher risk, dentists can apply fluoride varnish. The UK toolkit reports that varnish applied twice a year reduced decay increase by about 37% in baby teeth and 43% in adult teeth.

Is fluoride toothpaste safe?

Fluoride toothpaste is safe when used as directed. The one well-established risk is dental fluorosis, caused by swallowing too much fluoride while teeth are forming, which is why the amount of paste is limited by age.

The dose makes the difference. A smear or a pea of paste, spat out afterwards, delivers a small fraction of what is in the tube. Problems arise from regular swallowing, not from brushing.

The fluorosis risk window

Fluorosis only affects teeth that are still developing under the gum. According to the UK toolkit, the permanent front teeth (incisors) are at risk only under the age of 3, because their crowns finish calcifying by about 30 months. The premolars are at risk only under 6.

That gives a clear logic to the age-based amounts:

Figures from the UK toolkit chapter on fluoride. The 1,500 ppm column shows what the same amount delivers from a family-strength paste.

What fluorosis looks like

Mild fluorosis appears as faint white lines or flecks on the enamel. Teeth are still hard and still resist decay, and in its mild form it is usually noticed only on close inspection. Severe fluorosis, with brown staining or pitting, is much rarer and generally linked to high intake over years.

Noticed white spots on your own or your child’s teeth and not sure what they are? Read our guide to white spots on teeth.

In the most recent English study, comparing four cities and cited in a 2022 British Dental Journal letter, any fluorosis was found in 61% of children in two fluoridated cities against 37% in two non-fluoridated cities. Fluorosis at a level generally considered aesthetically objectionable was 10% against 2%. Two points matter when reading those numbers:

• They reflect all fluoride sources, including drinking water, not toothpaste alone.
• The children’s own concern about how their teeth looked did not differ significantly between the two groups.

The practical message for parents is to control the amount of paste and supervise brushing. Nobody needs to avoid fluoride toothpaste.

If a child swallows a lot of toothpaste

A lick or a swallowed smear is not a worry. If a child has eaten a large amount, for example by squeezing a tube into their mouth, call NHS 111 for advice. If they seem unwell, call 999.

Fluoride and the IQ question

This question has come up in the news since 2024, so it deserves a straight answer based on what is known.

• The US National Toxicology Program concluded with moderate confidence that drinking-water fluoride above 1.5 mg/L is associated with lower IQ in children. That is above the level at which UK water is fluoridated, which targets 1.0 mg/L.
• The same report said more studies are needed to understand any effect at lower exposures. The question is open, not settled in either direction.
• Much of the research looked at drinking water in areas with naturally high fluoride or other pollution, and reviewers have flagged weaknesses in many of the included studies.
• The UK Committee on Toxicity is examining fluoride at UK exposure levels and, at the time of writing, had not published a conclusion. Check for updates before relying on this section.

These studies concern fluoride in water and other long-term intakes, not a smear of toothpaste spat out after brushing. UK dental guidance on toothpaste is unchanged, and the amounts above are designed to keep swallowed fluoride low. If you have concerns for your child, your dentist or health visitor can talk through your family’s total fluoride exposure.

Common fluoride myths, checked

How much fluoride toothpaste to use at every age

In the UK, children under 3 need a smear of toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm fluoride, children aged 3 to 6 need a pea-sized amount of at least 1,000 ppm, and everyone from age 7 upwards should use 1,350 to 1,500 ppm. Brush twice a day, including just before bed.

Source: Delivering Better Oral Health, summary guidance tables. For ages 3 and over, the guidance is to spit out and not rinse.

Higher-strength options your dentist may recommend

Some people need more than standard-strength paste. Your dentist decides, and the guidance is specific about who qualifies.

• 1,350 to 1,500 ppm for children aged 0 to 6 who give cause for concern, such as those with early decay.
• 2,800 ppm prescription paste may be considered for ages 10 to 15 with active decay, until the decay risk falls.
• 5,000 ppm prescription paste may be considered from age 16 for active decay, including root decay in adults, and is not normally used long term.
• 0.05% fluoride mouthrinse (about 230 ppm) can be considered from age 8, used at a different time from brushing.

The highest strength you can buy over the counter is 1,500 ppm. Anything stronger is by prescription only, and the guidance does not recommend high-fluoride prescription paste for under-10s.

Fluoride varnish is applied in the dental chair. Our page on fluoride applications in dental practice explains what the treatment involves.

How to brush with fluoride toothpaste, step by step

1. Measure the paste. A smear for under-3s, a pea for ages 3 to 6, and a thin ribbon across the brush head is fine for older children and adults.
2. Brush for about two minutes. The guidance says thorough cleaning takes at least two minutes. A timer or a powered brush with a built-in one helps.
3. Cover every surface. Work around the outside, inside and biting surfaces of every tooth, including along the gum line. No single technique has been shown to beat the others, so a methodical order matters more than a particular movement.
4. Spit, do not rinse. Spit out the excess. Rinsing with water washes away the fluoride you have just applied.
5. Leave it alone. Ideally avoid eating or drinking straight afterwards, so the fluoride stays on the teeth as long as possible. This is common dental advice rather than a figure from the toolkit.
6. Make the night brush the one that counts. Saliva flow drops during sleep, so fluoride left on the teeth at bedtime does its work with less interference.

Details that settle common arguments

• Brushing straight after meals. The UK toolkit found no strong evidence that the timing of brushing matters for preventing tooth wear, and says not every patient needs to delay brushing after acidic food or drink.
• Electric or manual. Both work. Powered brushes reduce plaque and gum inflammation more than manual ones, with moderate certainty, but neither has been shown to prevent decay better.
• Between the teeth. Clean between them daily. This protects gums. The toolkit notes there is no evidence that it reduces decay beyond brushing alone.
• Children. Brush for them, or watch them brush, until at least age 7. Stop them swallowing or licking the paste. From about age 3 they can learn to spit rather than rinse.

How to choose the right fluoride toothpaste

To choose a fluoride toothpaste, check four things in this order: the ppm figure, whether it suits the age of the user, any specific need such as sensitivity, and finally flavour and cost. Brand, colour and marketing claims come last.

The four-point label check

1. Find the fluoride content. UK tubes usually show it as “1450ppm F” or “1000ppm F” on the back, sometimes near the ingredients list. If no figure appears, treat the paste as unproven.
2. Match it to the age. At least 1,000 ppm for under-7s; 1,350 to 1,500 ppm from age 7 and for adults.
3. Match it to a need. Sensitive teeth, gum problems, a dry mouth and braces all shift what suits you (see the table below).
4. Pick for flavour, texture and price. A paste you like enough to use for the full two minutes beats a better one you avoid.

What to look for by situation

The ingredient suggestions in the sensitivity row reflect common dental practice rather than a specific guideline cited here, so treat them as a starting point for a conversation with your dentist.

Does the fluoride compound matter?

Probably less than people think. The UK toolkit says the strength of a paste matters more than the fluoride compound, and does not find one compound clearly superior. Sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, amine fluoride and stannous fluoride all appear in products on UK shelves.

Stannous fluoride pastes are often promoted for gum health and sensitivity. Whether that justifies the higher price is a question for you and your dentist.

Labels that sound reassuring but prove little

• “Natural”. The word has no regulated meaning for toothpaste, and some natural pastes contain no fluoride at all.
• “Charcoal”. Often more abrasive, and not shown to protect against decay. Check the ppm figure anyway.
• “SLS-free”. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent. Avoiding it matters mainly to people who get mouth ulcers or irritation from it; it makes no difference to decay protection.
• “Hydroxyapatite” or other fluoride-free alternatives. Research is growing, but the evidence for preventing decay is far smaller than for fluoride, and UK guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste.
• Low-fluoride children’s pastes of about 500 ppm. The Cochrane review found no significant protection at that strength. The toolkit’s answer to swallowing risk is a controlled amount of paste, not weaker paste.

One paste for the whole family?

The 2021 UK guidance sets 1,000 ppm as a minimum for children under 7, not a maximum. A family paste of 1,350 to 1,500 ppm therefore sits within the guidance, provided the smear or pea limit is respected and children are supervised. Some parents prefer a separate children’s tube at 1,000 ppm because it takes some of the worry out of swallowing; for under-3s, check what your dentist or health visitor advises.

Does a more expensive paste work better?

Not for decay protection. Because strength matters more than brand or compound, a budget paste at 1,450 ppm can protect as well as a premium one. Pay extra only for a feature you actually need, such as sensitivity relief.

Want a visibly whiter smile instead? See teeth whitening and the teeth whitening cost guide.

Fluoride toothpaste in real life: six scenarios

Guidance is easier to apply when you see it on an ordinary day. These are illustrative scenarios, built from the UK recommendations above, not individual patient cases.

1. A baby with a first tooth

A lower front tooth appears at seven months. Start brushing now, twice a day, with a smear of a paste of at least 1,000 ppm on a small, soft baby brush. A smear is about the size of a grain of rice or smaller. Brush before bed even when the baby is sleepy; the night brush is the one the guidance singles out.

More ideas for little ones: kids’ dental health tips.

2. A four-year-old who swallows the foam

The child enjoys the taste and swallows rather than spits. Switch to a mild-flavoured paste, measure a pea-sized amount yourself and do the brushing. Practise “spit like a dragon” at other times. Because permanent front teeth are past the fluorosis window by this age but premolars are not, the pea limit still matters.

3. A teenager with braces and a taste for energy drinks

Brackets trap plaque, and sugary or acidic drinks add repeated acid attacks. Use 1,350 to 1,500 ppm paste, brush twice daily with extra time around the brackets, and spit rather than rinse. If white spots appear around the brackets, mention it to the orthodontist or dentist early: higher-strength fluoride can be advised. Cutting sipping to mealtimes helps more than any paste.

4. An adult in their sixties with gum recession and a dry mouth

Medication has reduced saliva, and receding gums expose root surfaces, which decay more readily than enamel. Brush with 1,350 to 1,500 ppm, and book a dental review to ask whether a prescription paste or fluoride varnish is appropriate. The UK tables allow 2,800 or 5,000 ppm paste for adults with active root decay, but only on a dentist’s advice.

Receding gums can be treated as well as protected. See our guide to receding gums treatment.

5. A night-shift worker

“Last thing at night” does not fit a rota that turns sleep upside down. The UK guidance says that “before bed” can replace “last thing at night” for people who sleep at other times. The principle is the same: brush, spit, and leave the fluoride in place before the long gap without food.

6. Someone with sensitive teeth who also wants protection

Sensitivity pushes people towards pastes that sound gentle, and some switch to fluoride-free options. Keep the fluoride and add the sensitivity ingredient rather than swapping one for the other. Persistent sensitivity can signal decay, a cracked tooth or gum recession, so see a dentist if it lasts.

Sensitivity with sharp pain? Read cavity tooth pain: when to see a dentist urgently.

A simple daily routine

A professional clean makes the daily routine work better. Learn what a scale and polish is and whether you need one, or see our hygiene appointments. Not sure it is time for a visit? Check the 7 signs you need a dental check-up.

Common mistakes that cancel out the benefit

Most people who “use fluoride toothpaste” lose some of its protection through habits that look harmless. These are the ones worth fixing first, roughly in order of impact.

1. Rinsing with water straight after brushing. It dilutes the fluoride that was meant to stay on the teeth. Spit, then stop.
2. Skipping the night brush. Last thing at night is the guidance, and it is the brush most often dropped.
3. Using a paste below 1,000 ppm, or none with fluoride. Weak children’s pastes and fluoride-free “natural” pastes remove the protection the routine is for.
4. Giving small children too much paste. A smear under 3 and a pea from 3 to 6 are limits, not suggestions. A full-length ribbon on a child’s brush is the most common error.
5. Letting children swallow or lick the paste. Adults should brush for children or supervise them until at least age 7.
6. Rushing. Brushing for well under two minutes leaves surfaces uncleaned, usually the inside faces of the back teeth.
7. Using mouthwash straight after brushing. A fluoride mouthrinse should be used at a different time from brushing, and the same sensible logic applies to any rinse that would wash the paste away.
8. Expecting paste to offset constant sugar. Every sugary sip or snack restarts the acid attack. Keeping sugar to mealtimes helps more than a stronger paste.
9. Using prescription high-fluoride paste without direction. It is for active decay, on a dentist’s advice, and 5,000 ppm paste is not normally used long term.
10. Never replacing the brush. A worn, splayed brush cleans less well. Many dentists suggest replacing it about every three months or when the bristles fray.

Advanced concepts for readers who want the detail

Why frequency beats quantity

After sugar reaches plaque, the acid level at the tooth surface rises for a period before saliva brings it back to normal. During that window, enamel loses mineral. Eating five sweets over five minutes is far less damaging than sipping a sweet drink over an hour, because the second case keeps the acid high for longer.

Fluoride works on the other side of the equation. Regular small exposures keep fluoride in plaque and saliva, ready to encourage mineral to redeposit whenever the acid subsides. That is why twice-daily brushing outperforms one big dose, and why the UK toolkit lists a 14% lower decay risk for twice-daily over once-daily brushing.

You do not need to swallow fluoride for it to work

The main protective effect comes from fluoride at the tooth surface. Swallowing adds little to protection and, in young children, adds fluorosis risk. That is why the whole UK approach is built around brushing, spitting and controlling the amount of paste.

Working out how much fluoride is on the brush

Parts per million translate directly into milligrams. One ppm equals one milligram of fluoride per kilogram of paste, so 1,000 ppm means 1 mg per gram.

\text{fluoride (mg)} = \frac{\text{paste (g)} \times \text{ppm}}{1000}

Worked example: a pea-sized amount weighing about 0.25 g of a 1,450 ppm paste carries roughly 0.36 mg of fluoride. That matches the UK toolkit’s own figures, which give 0.25 mg for a pea at 1,000 ppm and 0.375 mg at 1,500 ppm. Real amounts vary with the brush and the squeeze, which is why adults should measure for young children.

Total fluoride exposure

Toothpaste is one source among several. Others include drinking water, fluoride varnish applied by a dentist, and fluoride mouthrinse. In England only some areas have fluoridated water, and Birmingham and Newcastle are examples cited in the English fluorosis study above. If you are unsure whether your tap water is fluoridated or naturally contains fluoride, your water supplier can tell you.

What higher strength buys you

In the Cochrane review, moving from 1,000–1,250 ppm to 2,400–2,800 ppm raised the prevented fraction of decay from about 23% to about 36% compared with a dummy paste. That gain is why prescription strengths exist for people with active decay. The same trade-off explains the age limits: a stronger paste means more fluoride at the tooth surface, and more risk if swallowed.

Fluoride toothpaste FAQs

Is fluoride toothpaste safe for babies and toddlers?

Yes, when the amount is controlled. UK guidance recommends brushing from the first tooth with a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride, twice a day, with an adult doing the brushing. The smear limit keeps swallowed fluoride low during the years when teeth are forming.

How much fluoride toothpaste should a child use?

Children under 3 should use a smear. Children aged 3 to 6 should use a pea-sized amount. Both need paste of at least 1,000 ppm, brushed twice daily by or with a parent or carer, and spat out rather than rinsed from about age 3.

What ppm fluoride toothpaste should I buy?

Adults and anyone aged 7 or over should choose 1,350 to 1,500 ppm. Children under 7 need at least 1,000 ppm. Pastes below 1,000 ppm have not been shown to give significant protection against decay.

Should you rinse your mouth after brushing?

No. Spit out the excess paste and do not rinse with water, because rinsing washes away fluoride that is still protecting your teeth. Ideally avoid eating or drinking straight afterwards too.

How often should you use fluoride toothpaste?

Twice a day, including once last thing at night. Evidence reviewed by the UK toolkit links twice-daily brushing to a 14% lower decay risk than once-daily brushing.

Can adults use children’s toothpaste?

Adults are advised to use 1,350 to 1,500 ppm paste. Many children’s pastes contain 1,000 ppm or less, so they may give an adult less protection. If an adult paste suits a child as a family paste, the smear or pea limit still applies.

Is fluoride-free toothpaste as good?

No, not for decay prevention. Fluoride toothpaste at 1,000 ppm or above has moderate-to-high-certainty evidence behind it, while fluoride-free alternatives have far less. UK guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste for everyone.

Can fluoride toothpaste reverse a cavity?

It can help repair very early enamel damage before a hole forms, through remineralisation. It cannot fill a cavity that has already formed. A dentist will assess whether a spot needs monitoring, higher-strength fluoride or a filling.

What happens if you swallow fluoride toothpaste?

A small amount is not a concern. Regular swallowing by young children can cause mild dental fluorosis, visible as faint white flecks on the teeth. If a child has eaten a lot of paste, call NHS 111 for advice, or 999 if they seem unwell.

Do I need fluoride toothpaste if my tap water is fluoridated?

Yes. UK guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste for everyone, and water fluoridation covers only part of England. Toothpaste puts fluoride directly on the tooth surface, where it does its work.

Does fluoride toothpaste whiten teeth?

No. Fluoride protects enamel but does not change tooth colour. Whitening pastes polish away surface stain and do not bleach. For a noticeable change in shade, speak to a dentist about professional whitening.

Teeth looking yellow even though you brush? See why your teeth are yellow even though you brush.

Which fluoride toothpaste is best?

No single brand is best. The most useful measure is fluoride strength: 1,350 to 1,500 ppm for adults and anyone aged 7 or over, and at least 1,000 ppm for younger children. Beyond that, choose for any special need and for a flavour you will actually use.

When should I see a dentist about fluoride?

See a dentist if you notice white or brown spots, if teeth are sensitive for more than a few weeks, if your mouth is persistently dry, or if you or your child get decay despite good brushing. They can advise on varnish or prescription-strength paste.

Key takeaways

• Strength decides protection. Look for the ppm figure: at least 1,000 ppm for children under 7, and 1,350 to 1,500 ppm for adults and anyone aged 7 or over.
• Amount is the safety control. A smear under 3, a pea from 3 to 6, with an adult brushing or watching.
• Twice a day, including before bed. Twice-daily brushing lowers decay risk by 14% compared with once.
• Spit, do not rinse. Rinsing washes away the fluoride that does the protecting.
• Fluoride-free and low-fluoride pastes give up the protection. Pastes at about 550 ppm or below showed no significant benefit in the Cochrane review.
• Toothpaste cannot cancel out constant sugar. Keeping sugary food and drink to mealtimes does a lot of the work.
• Ask your dentist if you are at higher risk. Prescription paste, varnish and mouthrinse exist for people with active decay or dry mouth.

Check your tube tonight

Pick up the toothpaste your family uses and read the back. Find the ppm figure, then check it against the age of whoever uses it. If it fits, the next improvements cost nothing: measure the amount for little ones, spit without rinsing, and do not skip the night brush.

If something does not fit, such as a missing figure, a low-fluoride children’s tube or white or brown spots appearing on a tooth, a dental check is the quickest way to settle it.

To talk it through with a dentist, book an appointment at Robinhood Dental Practice in Hall Green, Birmingham, or contact us. See our prices before you come.

Sources

All pages below were opened and read for this guide. Figures and guidance were checked against them.

• Delivering Better Oral Health: summary guidance tables for dental teams: strengths, amounts, frequency and prescription strengths by age.
• Delivering Better Oral Health, chapter 9: fluoride: how fluoride works, effectiveness, fluorosis risk windows, dose figures, varnish and mouthrinse.
• Delivering Better Oral Health, chapter 8: oral hygiene: brushing time, timing, powered brushes, interdental cleaning and supervision of children.
• Walsh T et al., Cochrane review: Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents: prevented fractions by fluoride strength.
• Morris AJ et al., Dental fluorosis, British Dental Journal 2022;232:492: English fluorosis figures and the water fluoridation target.
• Dentistry.co.uk: Does water fluoridation cause childhood IQ loss?: summary of the NTP findings and responses.

Evidence base and review. UK recommendations were taken from the 2021 edition of Delivering Better Oral Health. Guidance can change, so check the current version. Practical advice marked as common dental practice is not drawn from these sources. This guide is general information and does not replace advice from a dentist. Medically reviewed by Dr Mudasir Ur Rehman, GDC No. 196599, Robinhood Dental Practice, Hall Green, Birmingham.