What are the differences between home-use and prescription topical fluoride
What is fluoride, and why it’s essential in preventing tooth decay?
Fluoride is a mineral found in all-natural water sources. Dental products containing fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride works by reducing the demineralization of tooth enamel calcium. When fluoride is used according to recommendations, it is a safe and effective means to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride promotes enamel surface remineralization. The effects of fluoride remineralization can reverse early signs of the tooth decay process and make teeth more resistant to decay. The beneficial effects of fluoride can be applied topically and systemically. In this article, we will focus on topical fluoride and the difference between home use and prescription fluorides.
What’s the difference between home use and prescription topical fluoride?
Fluoride is most commonly applied topically often in a gel or mouth wash.
Fluoride Toothpaste
Toothpaste containing fluoride is the most common use of topical fluoride. When brushing with fluoride toothpaste, the teeth are exposed to fluoride concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000-fold. The fluoride is taken up by the tooth to promote remineralization. Toothpaste that is purchased at the local grocery store contains active fluoride in the range of 1000 to 1500 parts per million (PPM). In contrast, prescription toothpaste often contains up to 5 times more active fluoride than over the counter toothpaste. Your dentist will only prescribe a toothpaste with high fluoride concentration if it is medically required. Prescription toothpaste is prescribed if you are at risk of dental caries or to reduce tooth sensitivity.
Fluoride Mouthrinse
Fluoride mouth rinse is a solution containing active fluoride compound intended for daily use for mouth rinsing. The fluoride mouth rinse helps prevent tooth decay. A fluoride mouth rinse can be purchased over the counter. Over the counter fluoride mouth rinse contains about 230 ppm of active fluoride and is recommended for children over the age of 6. If you are at high risk or developing dental caries, a higher strength mouth rinses must be prescribed by a dentist or physician. The prescription mouth rinse can contain up to 920 ppm of active fluoride and is not recommended for daily use because of the potential to develop fluorosis.
Fluoride Varnish.
If required, fluoride can be applied professionally by your dentist using a varnish. The high concentration fluoride varnish is painted directly onto the teeth and sets when it comes into contact with saliva. Fluoride varnish is not intended to adhere permanently. This method holds a high concentration of fluoride in a small amount of material in close contact with the teeth for several hours. This type of fluoride varnish can help prevent tooth decay in young children.
If you are ready for your next appointment, make sure to call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make your next appointment.
