Forms of Fluoride

Liquid

There are many forms of liquid that fluoride can come in such as: mouthwash, water, soda, chlorhexidine and stannous fluoride. Mouth rinses have been used in a variety of instances. In parts of the world, children do not receive an adequate amount of fluoride from their drinking water so a fluoride rinse will be given in order to prevent cavities . Mouthwashes are also available for those who tend to have a high rate of cavities. Nevertheless, mouthwashes are available in safe amounts for anybody who wants to choose an effective preventive path for their teeth. Fluoride is also seen in the water that we drink and also the soda (since soda contains water). We have listed the amount of fluoride that is available in our local waters (underneath "Amount of Fluoride in Water"). Chlorhexidine and stannous fluoride have also been effective in acting as antimicrobial agents. When the proper amount is used, an individual can prevent staining and also disturb the plaque that forms, which can cause cavities.

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Paste

Many different pastes are used that consists of fluoride. Fluoride is seen to be the most common therapeutic agent used in pastes due to its effectiveness of preventing cavities (2). All the different pastes include safety warnings so that an individual knows the proper amount that they should use. The different pastes are only allowed to include 120 mg of fluoride and some pastes that are prescribed may include up to 260 mg of fluoride(2). Stannous fluoride is also included in many pastes. Children's and adult's paste will include amounts of fluoride that should be regulated in correspondence to its label. For more information on toothpastes you can click on this link: Toothbrushes and Toothpastes

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Varnish

Varnish is a highly concentrated form of fluoride where the dentist or hygienist, and sometime pediatrician; paint on patient’s teeth surface towards the end of the appointment. Varnish can be applied to the enamel (outer surface of the tooth), dentin (inner layer of the tooth) or cementum (the layer of the tooth that is usually below the gums). Varnish is a type of topical fluoride therapy that stays on the tooth surface to help prevent cavities, re-mineralization of the tooth surface and treat sensitive teeth. Varnish is safe to use on toddlers when they get their first tooth and young children because only a small amount of varnish is being used to paint on the teeth surfaces hence, no fluoride is swallowed. After the varnish application, patient should not eat hard foods, drink alcoholic beverages or warm beverages, chew gum, brush or floss, 4-6 hours after application so that the fluoride can take the full effect on the tooth's surface (5). Here a video on how Varnish is applied, it is meant for information purposes (6):

Foam and Gel

Fluoride foam or gel is another type of topical fluoride therapy that helps with preventing cavities. However, this form of fluoride is mainly used by patient's who are at high risk of dental cavities, undergo radiation or chemotherapy, orthodontic treatment, have a dry mouth, and children's molars which cannot be sealed(7).

The way to apply foam or gel topical is with a mouth tray that can either be universal, commonly foam tray, or custom. The foam or gel is placed inside the tray and is inserted into the mouth. It will remain in the mouth for 4 minutes along with a suction so that the patient will not swallow the fluoride. After the completion of both the upper and lower teeth, it is recommend that the patient should not rinse, eat, smoke, drink or chew gum for at least 30 minutes (8).

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The foam comes in many different flavors, such as cotton candy, blueberry, mint and cherry (10) (11).

References :

(1) Best Fantastic Advertise ACT Mouthwash. (n.d.). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from

http://weblogsurf.com/best-fantastic-advertise-act-mouthwash/

(2) Harris, N., Garcia-Godoy, F., & Nathe, C. (2008). Community water fluoridation. In Primary Preventive Dentistry (pp. 148). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Person.

(3) CREST Pro health for Me Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste Minty Breeze, 6 Ounce Pack of 2. (n.d.). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from Shopping.com website: http://www.shopping.com/crest-crest-pro-health-for-me-fluoride-anticavity-toothpaste-minty-breeze-6-ounce-pack-of-2-crest/crest-pro-health-for-me-minty-breeze/85849008/reviews

(4) P&G Intros Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste. (n.d.). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from http://popsop.com/2726

(5) Department of Health. (n.d.). Fluoride Varnish - Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved October/November, 2011, from http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/dental/fluoride_varnish_faq.htm

(6) Vanish™ 5% Sodiuim Fluoride White Varnish - Full Mouth Application . (2010, September 23). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from YouTube website: http://www.youtube.com/

watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n6AVcIBLoyw

(7) Fluoride therapy. (2011, December 05). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoride_therapy

(8) About-Dental Care. (2007, July 18). Applying flouride. Retrieved from http://dentistry.about.com/od/childrensdentistry/ig/Dentist-Appointment-Photos/Inserting-Fluoride.htm

(9) Ask my Dentist. (n.d.). Fluoride and your teeth. Retrieved from http://askmydentist.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/FluorideTrays07-05-05.jpg

(10) Kolorz Sixty Second Fluoride Foam. (n.d.). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from DMG America website: http://www.dmg-america.com/catalog/hygiene-products/kolorz-sixty-second-fluoride-foam

(11) Laclede Fluoride Foam. (n.d.). Retrieved October/November, 2011, from MDS website:

http://www.midwaydental.com/ecommerce/Laclede-Fluoride-Foam.cfm?item_id=34577&group=1