Use fluoride
Fluoride has been shown effective in the prevention of Dental Caries since 1901.
Up till now fluoride has been widely used.
Food and drinking water
• Drinking water
By drinking fluoridated water, the intake of fluoride is adequate to prevent Dental
Caries.
• Food
Fluoride is found in tea leaves and certain seafoods.
Oral care products
Fluoride is added in most of our oral care products, such as
toothpaste, mouth rinse and
dental floss. Researches have shown that daily toothbrushing with fluoride
toothpaste reduces the incidence of Dental Caries by 30%. This has proved that fluoride
toothpastes are very effective in preventing Dental Caries.
• List of common oral care products with fluoride and directions of use
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Oral Care Products
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Concentration of fluoride
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Directions of use
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Adult Toothpaste
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1,000－1,450ppm
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Brush the teeth with a pea-sized blob of toothpaste in the morning and before bed
at night everyday
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Children Toothpaste
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500ppm
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Mouth Rinse
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230ppm 0.05%NaF
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Rinse for 1 minute daily
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900ppm 0.2% NaF
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Rinse for 1minute weekly
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Dental Floss
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Use once daily.
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• Points to note when using fluoride-containing products
Toothpaste
A young child should use a pea-sized blob of children toothpaste which contains
a lower concentration of fluoride. Ingestion of excessive amount of fluoride will
lead to dental fluorosis with white patches found on the newly erupted permanent
teeth.
Mouth Rinse
• For most people, there is no need to use fluoride mouth rinse. However, for
those who are prone to Dental Caries, such as patients under orthodontic treatment
or after radiotherapy, they need to use mouth rinse according to the instruction
of the dentist.
• Children under 6 years of age should not use fluoride mouth rinse to avoid
accidental ingestion.
Topical fluoride used by professionals
These topical fluoride agents are in very high concentration. The application of
topical fluoride on the tooth surfaces can prevent Dental
Caries or reduce tooth sensitivity. The dental
care personnel usually choose a type of topical fluoride which is appropriate for
the patient's oral health condition.
Types of professionally used topical fluoride
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• Fluoride gel
This type of topical fluoride contains 12,300ppm of fluoride. Dental care personnel
will put the fluoride gel onto a pre-formed dental tray and insert it into the patient's
mouth for 4 to 6 minutes to allow the fluoride to penetrate into the teeth.
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• Fluoride varnish
This type of topical fluoride contains 23,000ppm of fluoride. It is often used to
treat dental caries at its initial stage. The varnish is placed on the affected
tooth surface(s) and then allowed to dry on the tooth.
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Points to note after topical fluoride treatment
To allow topical fluoride to fully function, please do not eat within 4 hours after
application of topical fluoride.