Cavity Prevention Options for Children

Below is a comprehensive list of professional services, therapies, prescriptions, and at-home products that can help prevent cavities or slow the progression of early dental disease. Each has potential benefits and limitations, and the appropriate choice depends on your child’s age, cavity risk, oral health, diet, home-care habits, and other individual clinical factors. All options are backed by scientific and clinical evidence supporting their use.

Not every therapy or product is appropriate for every child. Your pediatric dentist will recommend which options are most appropriate and beneficial for your child and which may be used together as part of an individualized cavity-prevention plan.

Professional Cavity-Prevention Services

  • Dental Sealants - applied on permanent molars (and select primary molars if recommended)
  • Fluoride Varnish - Typically applied every 2–3 months for children at elevated cavity risk, as clinically indicated
  • Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) - Typically reapplied every 2–3 months when used to arrest active cavities, as clinically indicated
  • Clinpro™ 5000 Prescription Toothpaste - Typically prescribed for children age 7 and older when clinically indicated
  • Chlorhexidine Prescription Oral Rinse - Typically considered for children age 7 and older when clinically indicated

At-Home Cavity-Prevention Therapies

  • Fluoride Toothpaste - ADA-accepted products such as Crest, Colgate, and other fluoride toothpastes
  • Fluoride Mouth Rinses - Products such as ACT and other fluoride rinses, when age-appropriate
  • Antimicrobial Mouth Rinses - Products such as Listerine and Crest Pro-Health, when age-appropriate and clinically indicated
  • Xylitol Products - Mints, gum, candies, wipes, and other products containing xylitol

Additional Support Products

These products do not directly prevent cavities, but they can help make daily brushing and flossing more effective and consistent:

  • Electric Toothbrush - A high-quality rechargeable toothbrush with replaceable heads, such as Oral-B or Philips Sonicare
  • Children’s Flossers
  • Disclosing Tablets - Products such as Red-Cote and Two-Tone to help identify areas of plaque that may be missed during brushing
  • Brushing & Flossing Calendars / Star Charts - Motivational tools that encourage consistent daily oral hygiene
  • Brushing & Flossing Apps - Interactive phone or tablet applications designed to encourage and reinforce good oral hygiene habits
View Recommended Over the Counter Products

What About Other “Natural” or Alternative Therapies?

Dental products and therapies such as nano-hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, and ozone therapy currently do not have sufficient high-quality clinical evidence to support their routine use as replacements for established caries-prevention measures. While research continues in these areas, we cannot currently recommend these therapies as substitutes for evidence-based preventive care.

If you have questions about any of these services, therapies, or products, please ask. We are happy to explain how they work, what the evidence shows, and whether they are appropriate for your child. Our goal is simple: to use the safest, most effective, and best-supported strategies available to help your child prevent cavities and maintain a healthy smile.