Traditional fluoride toothpaste containing up to 1450 ppm fluoride can be purchased from supermarkets, pharmacies and corner shops, and can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Sometimes following a dental check or caries risk assessment, you may need more fluoride in order to prevent tooth decay – this is where prescription high fluoride toothpastes come in.

Prescription high fluoride toothpaste at 5000ppm has more than three times the usual amount of fluoride you would expect in an adult toothpaste (1450ppm). This makes it really effective at preventing and reducing tooth decay.

Your dentist fills out the prescription with enough toothpaste to cover 3-to-6 months. You can then take this to the pharmacy.

Your dental team may want to prescribe you a high fluoride toothpaste if you are at higher risk of tooth decay. This may be the case for:

• Those with past history of tooth decay and active tooth decay.

• The elderly.

• Those on medication containing sugar.

• Dry mouth sufferers, or those on medications that cause dry mouth.

• People undergoing cancer treatment causing dry mouth.

• People with diabetes.

• Those having orthodontic treatment.

• People with receding gums or those who have had insufficient restorations.

• Those with poor oral hygiene.

• People with high sugar diets.

• Those who do not attend a dental appointment regularly.

Your dental team could also recommend prescription high fluoride toothpaste as a way for you to help manage tooth decay in its early stages. If you have any of the symptoms below, talk to your dentist:

• Toothache.

• Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking something hot or cold.

• An unpleasant taste in your mouth.

• Dark spot on the surface of your tooth.

This campaign is delivered by the Oral Health Foundation, a charity creating healthier communities by delivering better oral health. The campaign is sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive.