Fluoride

dental examination

Fluoride


Dental decay is a common disease in New Zealand. One way to help prevent this disease from occurring is through the use of fluoride.

Fluoride helps harden the tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay. A small cavity can be stopped and even reversed by the remineralisation process enhanced by fluoride.

Fluoride can be delivered to the teeth in 2 ways; systemically (enters the blood stream) and topically (direct contact with the teeth)

 

Systemic Fluoride


Systemic Fluoride is delivered to the tooth surface via the bloodstream. Systemic fluoride can be derived from a food source, water source, or dietary supplements ( pill, tablet, lozenge, drop ). Fluoridated water is an effective way to reduce the problem of dental decay.

It has been shown that fluoridated water and dietary supplements can reduce tooth decay by up to 60%. Some water supplies already contain naturally occurring fluoride and for others, fluoride is intentionally added. Some communities have no fluoride in their water; others are unaware of this option.

If all of your water is obtained from a storage tank that collects rainwater from your roof then there will be no fluoride in the water. In these circumstances, fluoride supplements are highly recommended for your children. Likewise, with the increasing trend to drinking bottled and filtered water rather than tap water, the optimum level of fluoride is unlikely to be achieved. If you have any doubt about whether your child is getting the ideal level of fluoride then please ask us at Blockhouse Bay Dental Centre.

Children from birth to 14 years of age will benefit the most from systemic fluoride. This is because ingested fluoride circulates through the bloodstream and into developing teeth. Fluoride is then built into the enamel structure of the teeth making them more resistant to acids.
 

Topical Fluoride

   
Even though the benefits of fluoride are maximised before the teeth erupt, fluoride is still very beneficial for children and adults after the teeth are fully erupted. Topical fluorides can be applied directly to the tooth structure to delay or slow down the decay process.

Topical forms of fluoride include:
  • Fluoride toothpaste - used daily
  • Professional fluoride application - this is a gel that is applied for 1 to 4 minutes, usually in a tray at the end of a dental appointment. Not everyone is given a professional fluoride application, it depends on your oral health needs
  • Fluoridated home mouth rinses - these can be purchased from the Blockhouse Bay Dental Shop for children over 6 years of age and adults who are susceptible to cavities
  • Home care fluoride gels - applied by trays or by brush, these gels are for those who are highly susceptible to cavities.

People who are susceptible to cavities include:
 
  • Adults with a high incidence of root cavities
  • Those who experience an extremely dry mouth
  • People who wear braces or orthodontic appliances
  • Those who have excessive cavities

Ask us at your next dental visit if a personalised fluoride programme would be beneficial or necessary for you.

 

Fluoride Safety


Fluoride is very effective in controlling dental decay when used properly. However, if not used in the proper doses fluoride toxicity and dental fluorosis can occur.

Fluoride toxicity occurs when large amounts of fluoride are ingested during a short period of time, (eg swallowing the contents of a fluoride bottle). This can be dangerous to your health. Symptoms may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation or increased thirst. The symptoms would begin 30 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours. Depending on how much of a toxic overdose of fluoride is ingested, certain emergency procedures should be implemented.

If you feel nausea, drink milk, or try to induce vomiting and call Blockhouse Bay Dental Centre or your medical doctor. If the symptoms do not subside, or if the condition worsens (breathing becomes difficult), call the emergency services to transport you to hospital.

Dental fluorosis is an excess of fluoride intake during the stages of tooth development. It ranges from mild (white specks on teeth) to severe (brown staining and pitting of enamel).

To ensure that your child does not have any adverse effects from fluoride, you can follow some basic rules:
 
  • Fluoridated products should not be swallowed
  • Only a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a small pea, is needed for a child
  • Fluoridated products, especially mouth rinses, should not be given to a child under 6 years of age or to anyone who cannot rinse (those you suspect are swallowing some of the product)
  • Keep fluoridated products out of reach of children
  • Parental supervision is needed for children when brushing or using any fluoridated substances

Please visit Blockhouse Bay Dental Shop to see the full range of fluoride products available

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