Fluoride Therapy - 3
There are many OTC and prescription topical fluoride products on the market, which are available as either dentifrices, gels or mouth rinses. When making a recommendation for a supplemental fluoride, the dental hygienist must consider a client's clinical needs, cost, availability and ease of use. The choice of delivery system for home fluorides varies according to clinical need. Clients who continue to demonstrate a high dental caries rate after using a fluoride rinse for one year, those with a high incidence of root caries, and those with a history of head and neck irradiation may receive a greater benefit from using a topical gel delivered in custom fluoride trays.17 There is some concern that low concentration OTC sodium fluoride rinses (< 0.05%) may not be as effective as their prescription strength counterparts in clients with xerostomia.18 Likewise, OTC dentrifices contain less than 1,500 ppm fluoride; therefore, Xerostomic clients will receive a greater benefit from using a prescription strength fluoride dentifrice or topically applied fluoride gel. Clients should be closely monitored to determine compliance with and the efficacy of their home fluoride use, with the understanding that periodic modifications may be necessary over time. Continuous evaluation is critical for clients who have exceptionally high dental caries rates, rampant decay and/or systemic conditions which will cause xerostomia throughout their lifetime. Supplemental fluorides are summarized in Table 1 and Table 2.
