No fluoride in your drinking water?
Here are some ways to keep your teeth healthy:

Tooth decay is a disease which affects both children and adults, and can cause considerable pain and suffering.Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth use sugars you eat and drink to make acid, which attacks the surface of your tooth.

Fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water, is like a constant ‘repair kit’ that helps protect teeth against tooth decay. If your drinking water doesn’t have fluoride in it, there are still ways you can protect your teeth against decay.

Some general information is given below. This should not replace the advice from your dentist.

Clean teeth and along the gum line at least twice a day

Help your child to brush their teeth until you are sure they can do it well by themselves. This is usually around 7 years of age.

Babies 0 to 18 months

• Start cleaning your child's teeth as soon as they appear (around six months).
• Use a soft toothbrush with a small head.
• Use only water, do not use toothpaste.

Children 18 months to 6 years of age

• Help your child to brush their teeth.
• Use a small pea-size amount of a suitable strength fluoride toothpaste.
• Ask your dentist if your child should:
• • use a low fluoride or standard fluoride toothpaste,
  • brush their teeth more than the usual two times a day.
• After brushing, spit out toothpaste, do not swallow it or rinse with water.
• Don’t let children lick or eat toothpaste.

Children 6 years and over, adults and older adults

• After brushing, spit out toothpaste, do not swallow it or rinse with water.
• Don’t let children lick or eat toothpaste.

• Ask your dentist if you should:

  • use a standard fluoride or higher strength fluoride toothpaste
  • brush their teeth more than the usual two times a day.

Drink plenty of water every day

• Limit sugary drinks. Bacteria in your mouth use these sugars to make acid, which attacks the surface of your teeth, leading to tooth decay.
• Water has no sugars or acid. Drink water instead of sugary drinks to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

Make infant formula using fluoridated or non-fluoridated water

• Breastfeeding is best for babies, however sometimes this is not possible.
• Infant formula is safe when made using fluoridated or non-fluoridated water.

Have regular dental check-ups

• Everybody has different oral health needs. Ask your dentist how often you should have a dental check-up.
• Children should have an oral health check by the time they turn two. A dentist, oral health therapist, GP or maternal and child health nurse may do this.
• Fluoride mouth rinse may be used by people aged six years and above. Ask your dentist whether this is suitable for you.

Avoid fluoride drops and tablets

• Fluoride supplements in the form of drops or tablets to be chewed and/or swallowed should not be used.

These tips are based on theUse of fluorides in Australia: Guidelines,Key oral health messages for Australian public (2011)and theAustralian Dietary Guidelines (2013)

More information about water fluoridation can be found at:Department of Health - Water fluoridation