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.