Procedures

Topical fluoride

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Fluoride may not be found in your drinking water. Some towns do not fluoridate the water for a variety of reasons, although the levels of the mineral may be too low to provide any benefits to the teeth of developing children. Some towns have naturally occurring fluoride levels that are higher than recommended. Your dentist can likely tell you how much is in your town's water, whether you should supplement, and by how much.

If you filter your tap water, or your children mainly drink bottled water, they may not be getting the benefit of fluoridated water. If they drink water from a refrigerator that is connected to the municipal water supply, the filters in the refrigerator may be removing all or most of the fluoride. Bottled water companies typically list the fluoride content in of their water (in parts per million) on their web sites. Use the supplementation schedule and ask your dentist if you should supplement.

If you determine that the fluoride level in your water is sub-optimal for development of harder, decay-resistant teeth, review the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations for supplementation under "Overview". Visit their web site to be sure you're following the latest recommendation, and ask your dentist if he/she can prescribe the appropriate supplement. Keep the supplements out of the reach of children so that they cannot overdose on fluoride.

If you suffer from chronic dry mouth ("xerostomia"), either secondary to medication, advanced age, or exposure to radiation that has affected your salivary flow, you have lost your number one defense against cavities—saliva. Saliva reduces the acid levels in the mouth, and helps to flush away plaque. It also contains amylase, an enzyme that begins the digestive process of sugars while they are still in the mouth. It is very common for sufferers of xerostomia to develop gumline cavities, and cavities around their dental restorations (e.g. fillings and crowns). Topical fluoride can help protect your teeth against the effects of this unfortunate condition.
Learn more: Diagnoses › Xerostomia

If your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed braces, their ability to clean around their teeth is somewhat compromised. Topical application of fluoride on a schedule recommended by your orthodontist or general dentist can offer protection against decay that commonly occurs around the brackets.

If your child has deep pits and fissures in their teeth (where an estimated 80% of cavities begin), they may benefit from regularly applied topical fluoride on a schedule recommended by your dentist.