Who May Need Fluoride Treatments?

Dentists may use fluoride treatments for patients who are at an increased risk of tooth decay, including those with:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Active cavities
• Eating disorders
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Poor diet
• Tooth enamel defects

How Are Fluoride Treatments Administered?

Fluoride treatments are administered at a dentist's office using either acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) or neutral sodium fluoride. It is applied to the teeth in gel, foam or varnish form, either in a tray or painted directly on the teeth. For most patients, the fluoride is left on for four minutes. Children may also be given fluoride supplements to take in small doses each day, especially if there is not a sufficient amount of fluoride in their regular water supply.

After fluoride treatments, patients should not eat, drink or smoke for at least 30 minutes to increase the fluoride’s direct contact with the teeth. Fluoride treatments are often repeated every three, six or twelve months, depending on each patient’s individual needs.

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Additional Resources

• Mouth Healthy
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Medline Plus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• WebMD