The Role of Fluoride on Caries Prevention

Excerpt

Dental caries is 1 of the most prevalent chronic diseases, affecting nearly 60 to 90% of the world's population. In the United States, dental caries is the most common chronic disease among children. It results from the interaction of bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates, and host factors over time. Dental caries is a non-communicable disease; it shares lifestyle factors associated with other diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Fluorides play a central role in the prevention of dental caries and are also used therapeutically for the inactivation of incipient carious lesions. The effect of fluoride is mainly achieved when applied topically, which is further enhanced when accompanied by good oral hygiene.

Since the implementation of water fluoridation, there has been a decrease in the prevalence of dental caries. The risk of dental fluorosis is mainly related to the systemic consumption of fluorides during the first 6 years of age. However, early exposure to fluoride toothpaste has also been linked to dental fluorosis due to unintended swallowing. This risk should be considered when selecting the concentration of fluoride toothpaste for young children. Fluoride-containing products, including toothpaste, rinse solutions, gels, foams, and varnishes, are indicated according to age and risk of caries.