Fluoride is proven to be excellent for preventing tooth decay. If we spot early lesions on the teeth or if a child is at high risk of decay we often recommend professional fluoride application 2-3 times per year. Usually this is in the form of fluoride varnish application, which has been shown to reduce decay by 33-45%. Topical fluorides are directly applied to the erupted teeth. There are several solutions and gels used by the dentist in the clinics for topical fluoride applications.
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Lifelong protection against tooth cavitiesresults from continuous use of low-concentration fluoride. When communal-water supplies are available, water fluoridation clearly represents the most effective, efficient, and economical of all known measures for the prevention of tooth decay. Unfortunately, fluoride in water is available to only about two-thirds of the population. Thus it is obvious that additional measures by the dental profession are needed to provide greater protection against cavities. Continue reading