Fluoride, a natural mineral, has long been an aid to dental hygiene and has many proven benefits in oral health. The use of fluoride is a staple in oral hygiene and when used properly, is very effective at preventing dental caries (decay), reversing early signs of decay seen as demineralization/erosion, and in the long run, saving a person’s money spent at the dentist. Fluoride is administered in many ways such as toothpastes, oral rinses, topical applications, and drinking water. Despite opposing arguments that fluoride is not a necessary element for dental health, it seems there are still many professionals as well as dental and health organizations that disagree with opposing views and continue to recommend and promote the use of fluoride.
…show more content…
This is something performed in a dental office by a professional. Often times, this procedure is performed two to four times a year, depending on caries risk, at routine dental hygiene visits. The varnish applications are painted on the teeth as a thick, sticky substance and left on for the remainder of the day, with minimal restrictions, to come off naturally. Gels are typically used in a tray that fits over the teeth which allows the gel to cover and surround the dentition for a certain period of time (usually a few minutes). Like prescription strength toothpastes, these topical gel and varnish applications are also effective when applied to dental patients who are considered high risk for carries. Fluoride gels and varnishes that hold the seal of the American Dental Association approval have undergone extensive clinical trials to validate their effectiveness (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2000, p. 1211). In an analysis performed by Marino et al., data pooled from clinical studies of patients under age 17, using a topical fluoride varnish of five percent sodium fluoride for a minimum of one year, showed an overall reduction of carries by 33% in primary teeth and a 46% reduction in permanent teeth (Tinanof, 2010, p.
This is something performed in a dental office by a professional. Often times, this procedure is performed two to four times a year, depending on caries risk, at routine dental hygiene visits. The varnish applications are painted on the teeth as a thick, sticky substance and left on for the remainder of the day, with minimal restrictions, to come off naturally. Gels are typically used in a tray that fits over the teeth which allows the gel to cover and surround the dentition for a certain period of time (usually a few minutes). Like prescription strength toothpastes, these topical gel and varnish applications are also effective when applied to dental patients who are considered high risk for carries. Fluoride gels and varnishes that hold the seal of the American Dental Association approval have undergone extensive clinical trials to validate their effectiveness (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2000, p. 1211). In an analysis performed by Marino et al., data pooled from clinical studies of patients under age 17, using a topical fluoride varnish of five percent sodium fluoride for a minimum of one year, showed an overall reduction of carries by 33% in primary teeth and a 46% reduction in permanent teeth (Tinanof, 2010, p.