Procedures

Topical fluoride

Disadvantages & risks

• Fluoride is a prescription drug for a reason. If taken internally in large enough doses, fluoride can be lethal. If taken at appropriate doses, or used topically, but not swallowed, it can be very beneficial.
• Fatalities involving fluoride are not unheard of; however deaths related to the use of dental fluoride are extremely rare. Nonetheless, all supplemental fluoride tablets, chews, suspensions and other forms of fluoride should be kept out of the reach of children, and used properly as directed—even if a child is the intended recipient.
• If swallowed, a normal dose of topical fluoride applied by your dental professional can cause nausea and vomiting, especially in kids. Topical fluoride applied by dentists contains about 15,000 parts per million fluoride ion. This is about three times as much as is found in prescription formulations for home use by adults, and about ten times the amount found in regular fluoride toothpaste.
• Of more practical concern (accidents and negligence aside), there is potential to view fluoride as a "magic bullet" in preventing tooth decay. However, there is no substitute for excellent oral hygiene and proper nutrition, meaning the frequency of sugary/acidic food and beverage exposures per day should be minimized.
• A fairly common condition known as fluorosis can occur as a result of chronic over-exposure to fluoride, such as might occur if a child drinks fluoridated water and (against recommendations) ingests daily fluoride supplements. Some parts of the world have abnormally high fluoride concentration occurring naturally in the drinking water.
• Some formulations of supplemental topical fluoride have a disagreeable metallic taste.
• Fluoride isn't as effective at reducing pit and fissure cavities as it is at reducing smooth surface cavities. Unfortunately, some 80% of tooth cavities originate in deep pits and fissures.