Is extra Fluoride needed?

[Bunny]

Hi there, this is probably one for the professionals out there!

I saw my dentist last week, not my ortho, for my 6 month check up. He said all was well and I said I was flossing mouthwashing etc etc.

He then advised that I should be using "Duraphat" which is a toothpaste with extra fluoride. This puzzled me as I already use a fluoride mouthwash 3 times a day and a good Colgate toothpaste.

I am a little hesitant to use the "Duraphat" as its expensive and he suggested brushing with it and not rinsing, i.e leaving it on but then I cant use the mouthwash, well not until another part of the day. I am worried about swallowing it and the fact that my whole life will be taken over by dental care!

Is this Duraphat really required if I use all the other stuff already? I sense he is trying to get me to spend even more money for no good reason.

Thanks, very confused!!

[mikeg]

I agree with you that the Durphat is not needed and a waste of money.

A good toothpaste with flouride is good enough and the fact that you floss and use a mouthwash is also really good.

I wouldn't sweat it.. keep up the good routine

[ajs2294]

All these products do basically the same thing according to generic ingredients:
Brand Names: ACT Fluoride Rinse, ACT Kids Fluoride Rinse, ACT Restoring Mouthwash Cinnamon, ACT Restoring Mouthwash Mint, ACT Restoring Mouthwash Spearmint, ACT Restoring Mouthwash Vanilla Mint, Control Rx, Denta 5000 Plus, Dentagel, Ethedent, Fluoridex, Fluoridex whitening, Gel-Kam, Gel-Kam Dental Therapy Pak, Gel-Kam Dentinbloc, Gel-Kam Sensitivity Therapy, Nafrinse Solution, Neutracare Gel, Neutral Sodium Fluoride Rinse, Omnii Gel, Omnii Gel Just For Kids, Oral B Anti-Cavity, Perfect Choice, Perio Med, Phos-Flur, Prevident, Prevident 500 Plus Boost, Prevident 5000 Dry Mouth, Prevident 5000 Plus, Prevident 5000 Sensitive, SF, SF 5000 Plus, Stop, Thera-Flur-N

My orthodontist gave me a free tube of Gel-kam which is like fluoride preventative tooth paste and I don't see any "difference" using it, just a money making thing more than likely.

[katiekatie23]

i use duraphat toothpaste and i love it its done a brill ob for my sensitive teeth as it re-coats the enamel and mine were very very sensitive, but everyone is different and im sure you will find one to suit you.

[Sunny]

My ortho recommended I have a fluoride treatment twice a year when I see my hygienist to get my teeth clean. I think the first two cleanings after I had my braces put on included a treatment, and then my hygienist said my teeth were in such excellent condition, that I didn't need to spend the money on extra fluoride. She told me it wouldn't do me any harm, as the fluoride used is so small, but that she couldn't see it doing me any noticable good either.

I've had to do some research about fluoride as part of my ortho assistant training, and I've found this a hugely emotionally charged area ... with one side totally for it and the other totally against it. I've decided to take the middle road with my own treatment and make sure i use toothpaste with fluoride and at least one mouth wash with it ... which I use twice a day. I'd also be happy to have the fluoride treatment by my hygienist ... but not if she recommends against it.

At your next adjustment talk to your ortho about what your dentist has recommended and ask what he thinks about this. If you decide not to do what your dentist is recommending, make sure to find out why he has recommended it, so that you can be on the lookout for whatever it is ... just to be on the safe side.

Good luck with making this decision!