Fluoride usage Flashcards
Name some parts of the UK which are part of the water fluoridation scheme.
Cumbria, Cheshire, Northumbria, Durham, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Birmingham.
What are the benefits of water fluoridation?
1 ppm in water results in 50% overall reduction in caries
Name some parts of the UK which are supplied with naturally fluoridated water at around the optimum (1ppm) level.
Hartlepool and Easington, County Durham; Uttoxeter, Staffordshire; Redbridge, London Borough
What are some dietary sources of fluoride?
Fish, offal (animal organ meat), tea
How does fluoride work?
- turns hydroxyapatite crystals to fluorapatite crystals
- 2OH- replaced by 2F- ions
- reduces critical pH from 5.5 to 3.5
- makes enamel more resistant to acid dissolution
Name F- containing items available to use on patients.
- toothpaste
- mouthwash
- varnish
- drops
- tablets
- gel
- foam
- glass beads
What did the Cochrane Review by Marinho et al of 2003 show?
Children who brush their teeth at least once a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride will have less tooth decay. Twice a day usage increases the benefit. No conclusion could be reaches about the risk that using fluoride toothpastes could mottle teeth (fluorosis), an effect of chronic ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride when children are young.
At what concentration of F- is toothpaste deemed useful to prevent caries?
1000ppm and higher
What is the evidence for fluoride supplementation for children?
Tubert-Jeannin et al. 2011 (Cochrane Collaboration Review) indicated that F- supplements vs. no F- supplements had a preventive effect on caries of permanent teeth in schoolchildren only 6yo+. No conclusion about
What is fluorosis?
Mild: diffuse flecks/patches
Moderate: mottling/ striations/ yellow brown colour
Severe: enamel hypoplasia
Prevention by good history taking and preferable to have topical dose rather than systemic
