Just on the subject of preventive treatments you may have already heard of fluoroprophylaxis.
Basically, this is a medical therapy that takes the form of administering fluoride in order to prevent tooth decay and strengthen the patient's tooth enamel.
The importance of fluoride
For several years now, fluoroprophylaxis has been regarded as one of the best treatments to defend teeth from caries.
Patients of all ages can undergo fluoride administration, although it is recommended by the professionals at the Savasta practice especially for younger children, since the therapy is particularly effective (and important) for patients who are still in their growth phase.
Fluorine is a mineral that is present on earth in very large quantities, although it is rare to find it not combined with other minerals. It has been the focus of study for hundreds of years, especially in the medical field.
It is precisely these studies that have made it possible to discover that fluoride can play a very important role in the prevention of carious disease, because it is able to build a kind of shield to protect the enamel, which in this way is more difficult to attack by the bacteria inside the mouth.
In addition, fluoride plays a leading role in that natural process called remineralization of teeth, with minerals through saliva going to the tooth elements, which are strengthened.
Finally, fluoride has good antibacterial efficacy because it is able to hinder the adhesion of streptococcus mutans (which among the bacteria responsible for caries is the most important) to the tooth.
Fluoroprophylaxis: what it is and how it happens
Fluoride is found naturally on a large amount of foods, especially in fruits, vegetables and water. This means that this important mineral is assimilated by humans through food; however, the daily requirement is quite high (between 1.5 and 4 mg): reaching these amounts is important, even and especially when one is young, so one can undergo specific treatment.
Various fluoride delivery systems have been used over the years: you may have heard of fluoridated water, fluoride-fortified milk, tablets, and special drops. These are all products with which you can undergo systemic administration of fluoride.
Nowadays, the method that is considered most effective is local administration through specific products after the eruption of teeth. This is referred to as fluorophorelaxis in such cases.
Fluoride administration can occur topically, with tooth surfaces being exposed to substances that contain high concentrations of fluoride salts.
The product used, which may be a gel, toothpaste or varnish, should not be ingested by the patient.
The medical team at Dr. Savasta's office, once they have studied your situation, will know how to choose the best solution for your specific case.
Therapies and contraindications
Therapy must also be individualized because the fluoroprophylaxis program to be adopted differs according to the age of the patient;
- children from six months to six years of age are advised to use a toothpaste with 1,000 ppm fluoride twice a day; of course, it will be up to the adults to check that the amount of toothpaste is right and that the toothbrush is being used in the correct way; in individuals at high risk for tooth decay, the use of toothpaste may be supplemented by takingdrops, to be taken according to the dentist's instructions;
- Patients older than six years are advised to use a twice-daily toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm fluoride; individuals at high or moderate caries risk should also undergo professional topical application treatment.
If you exceed the recommended doses you run the risk of fluorosis. It can happen, for example, if you accidentally ingest toothpaste with a high concentration of fluoride while brushing.This is also why it is important for adults to monitor their children when brushing their teeth.
Great care should also be taken with the amount of toothpaste used: for younger children, the paste put on the toothbrush should be no larger than the size of a pea. In the most obvious cases, fluorosis is manifested by the appearance on the teeth of stains that can range from white to gray.
