Fluorides
Class: Cariostatic Agents
- Cariostatic Agents
ATC Class: A12CD
VA Class: TN470
Molecular Formula: NaFNa3FPO4SnF2
CAS Number: 7681-49-4
Brands: Acclean, ACT, DentiCare, Fluoridex, Gelato, Gel-Kam, Iris, Just for Kids, Kolorz, Minute-Foam, NeutraCare, NeutraMaxx, Nupro, OMNI, PCxx, PerioMed, Phos-Flur, PreviDent, 60 Second Taste, SF, Stance, Topex, Zap, Zooby
Introduction
Cariostatic agent; ionic form of fluorine.
Uses for Fluorides
Dental Caries Prevention
Used orally or topically to prevent or reduce incidence of dental caries and slow or reverse progression of existing dental lesions.
Effect of fluoride is predominantly posteruptive; maintain consistent small amounts of fluoride in saliva and dental plaque. (See Actions.)
Used as a dietary supplement for prevention of dental caries in children in areas where the concentration of fluoride ion in drinking water is less than optimal. While the American Dental Association (ADA), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and CDC recommend consideration of fluoride dietary supplements only for children in those areas who are at high risk for dental caries, AAP states that use in lower-risk children also may be considered. Sources of fluoride exposure other than the primary drinking supply also must be considered.
CDC recommends that adults and children at low risk for dental caries drink adequately fluoridated water and use fluoridated dentifrice twice daily. Individuals at higher risk for dental caries may require additional exposure to fluorides (e.g., mouth rinses, dietary supplements, preparations applied by dental personnel).
For additional anticaries benefits in adults and pediatric patients ≥6 years of age, fluoride treatment gels or rinsing solutions may be used: sodium fluoride 1.1% gel (containing 0.5% fluoride ion); sodium fluoride 0.02, 0.05, or 0.2% rinsing solutions (containing 0.009, 0.02, or 0.09% fluoride ion, respectively); acidulated phosphate fluoride gel or oral rinse (containing 0.5 or 0.02% fluoride ion, respectively); and stannous fluoride 0.4% gel or 0.63% rinsing solution (diluted and used as 0.1% solution).
Professionally applied sodium fluoride 2% gel, foam, or oral rinsing solution (containing 0.9% fluoride ion); sodium fluoride 5% varnish† (containing 2.26% fluoride ion); or acidulated phosphate fluoride gel or foam (containing 1.23% fluoride ion) also are used for additional anticaries benefits. In patients at increased risk for dental caries, experts recommend application of topical fluorides by dental personnel at least every 3–6 months.
For adults, adolescents, and children ≥6 years of age at increased risk for dental caries, ADA recommends the following prescription-strength or professionally applied topical fluorides: professional application of varnish containing 2.26% fluoride ion or acidulated phosphate fluoride gel containing 1.23% fluoride ion at least every 3–6 months or in-home use of prescription-strength gel or paste containing 0.5% fluoride ion twice daily or rinsing solution containing 0.09% fluoride ion at least weekly (or daily for prevention of root caries in adults). For at-risk children <6 years of age, 2.26% fluoride varnish is recommended.
AAP and US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend fluoride varnish in the primary care setting for all infan..
