What is the new fluoride that dentists use?

[HenryH]

The other day, I had my cleaning/checkup at the dentist's office. When the hygienist gives fluoride treatment, she usually fills a mouthpiece with this foamy stuff and I bite down on it. However, this time (and for my previous appointment), she tore open this little packet of goo and used a little brush to wipe it all over my teeth. It tasted like cantaloupe (and I mean like a real piece of fruit). I was able to eat/drink immediately after, and it formed a thick, gooey coating on my teeth.

I'm just curious...what is the name of this new fluoride paste?



*Note: I am NOT asking for medical advice...I just want to know the name of this stuff.*

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[aphistis]

SDN is not for seeking...

Just kidding. 🙂

Fluoride can be delivered a bunch of different ways. The new stuff you're getting sounds like a varnish, which has the advantage of sticking to your teeth for longer and thereby getting a longer period of direct contact to deliver the good stuff. Other common ones include foams, gels, rinses, and prescription-strength toothpastes (believe it or not).

 

[Midoc]

Its called fluoride varnish.

 

[HenryH]

Thanks for your responses.

Is it possible for me to purchase any of these products (varnishes)? If they are considered "pharmaceuticals" (available by prescription), could I still buy the varnish from an online pharmacy?

Just curious. 🙂

 

[crazy_sherm]

Thanks for your responses.

Is it possible for me to purchase any of these products (varnishes)? If they are considered "pharmaceuticals" (available by prescription), could I still buy the varnish from an online pharmacy?

Just curious. 🙂

They're actually considered a medical device by the FDA only for use as a cavity liners and for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, though off-label use for caries prevention is starting to gain ground these days. So unless you're a dentist or your dentist gives you some, it's unlikely you'll be able to purchase any yourself.

There are other fluoride products out there you can use such as ACT mouthrinse, Gel-Kam, or a prescription strength toothpaste such as Prevident. The first two I mentioned are available OTC. I would consult your dentist and see which products, if any, would be safe and appropriate for you.

 

[aphistis]

They're actually considered a medical device by the FDA only for use as a cavity liners and for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth, though off-label use for caries prevention is starting to gain ground these days. So unless you're a dentist or your dentist gives you some, it's unlikely you'll be able to purchase any yourself.

There are other fluoride products out there you can use such as ACT mouthrinse, Gel-Kam, or a prescription strength toothpaste such as Prevident. The first two I mentioned are available OTC. I would consult your dentist and see which products, if any, would be safe and appropriate for you.

Sherm, the product the OP is asking about is a topical fluoride varnish, not a restorative liner. 🙂

 

[thewatchtower]

Sherm, the product the OP is asking about is a topical fluoride varnish, not a restorative liner. 🙂

actually sherm is correct.

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/science_fluoride_varnish.asp


The ADA considers fluoride varnish to be safe and efficacious as part of a caries prevention program that includes caries diagnosis, risk assessment, and regular dental care. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared these products as medical devices to be used as cavity liners and for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth. These products have not yet been cleared for marketing in the United States as caries-preventive agents; and, therefore, fluoride varnish application for caries prevention is an off-label use. However, the results of this recent study add to an increasing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in caries prevention.

 

[aphistis]

actually sherm is correct.

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/science_fluoride_varnish.asp


The ADA considers fluoride varnish to be safe and efficacious as part of a caries prevention program that includes caries diagnosis, risk assessment, and regular dental care. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared these products as medical devices to be used as cavity liners and for the treatment of hypersensitive teeth. These products have not yet been cleared for marketing in the United States as caries-preventive agents; and, therefore, fluoride varnish application for caries prevention is an off-label use. However, the results of this recent study add to an increasing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in caries prevention.

My mistake. I'd never heard of using Duraphat as a cavity liner. So much for the expensive diploma I got last weekend. 😛

 

[S Files]

here's a trick: get some KY Jelly and gargle it up with a mouthrinse such as ACT that crazy sherm posted about. The chlorhexidine gluconate in KY can help against gum disease while the varnish fights cavities. the KY brings out the cantaloupe flavor even more.

 

[Farmercyst]

here's a trick: get some KY Jelly and gargle it up with a mouthrinse such as ACT that crazy sherm posted about. The chlorhexidine gluconate in KY can help against gum disease while the varnish fights cavities. the KY brings out the cantaloupe flavor even more.

Even though it sounds reasonable, I still don't see myself putting KY anywhere near my mouth.😳

 

[HenryH]

The dentist actually gave me Prevident; I just find it inconvenient to leave it on my teeth for 30 mins. without rinsing (but this is just pure laziness). I don't want to waste the stuff, either.

The hygienist and dentist told me that one of my upper teeth has decalcified pretty bad towards the gum ("almost to the enamel"), so I figured, if it is that bad, why can't I just get the varnish? That stuff even FELT like it was really working when they put it on after my cleaning.

LOL, I'm not sure if I could see myself putting KY Jelly in my mouth, either.

When I go back to the office to get a small cavity filled in the next week or so, maybe I could wait until the dentist leaves the room, jump out of the chair, whip open the bottom drawer (where the hygienist keeps the varnish) and make off with a handful of packets. 😉 I want the good stuff!

I kind of hoped that, since this stuff is "prescription," there would be some sort of online pharmacy I could order it from. Hmmm....

 

[S Files]

The dentist actually gave me Prevident; I just find it inconvenient to leave it on my teeth for 30 mins. without rinsing (but this is just pure laziness). I don't want to waste the stuff, either.

The hygienist and dentist told me that one of my upper teeth has decalcified pretty bad towards the gum ("almost to the enamel"), so I figured, if it is that bad, why can't I just get the varnish? That stuff even FELT like it was really working when they put it on after my cleaning.

LOL, I'm not sure if I could see myself putting KY Jelly in my mouth, either.

When I go back to the office to get a small cavity filled in the next week or so, maybe I could wait until the dentist leaves the room, jump out of the chair, whip open the bottom drawer (where the hygienist keeps the varnish) and make off with a handful of packets. 😉 I want the good stuff!

I kind of hoped that, since this stuff is "prescription," there would be some sort of online pharmacy I could order it from. Hmmm....

you could FEEL it work??? 🙂 riiiiight.....

hey what's with all the KY-hating? you said you like the taste of cantaloupe didn't you. join in on the fun.

 

[aphistis]

Closing.