Fluoride is an anion of the element fluorine, and it plays a significant role in dental health. It is commonly found in nature in various minerals, soil, water, and some foods. Fluoride is well-known for its ability to prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.

Fluoride (DentaGel) is used to prevent dental carries and make teeth stronger by increasing mineralization and preventing them from lysis by acid.

Fluoride Uses:

• It is used to prevent dental caries

Fluoride Dose in Adults

Fluoride Cream or paste:

For Clinpro 5000 Paste, Control Rx 1.1%, Denta 5000 Plus:

• How often: Once a day
• Replace regular toothpaste with: A small amount of paste (like a thin ribbon or pea-sized)
• How long to brush: At least 2 minutes
• Regardless of water fluoride: Use this paste instead of your regular toothpaste.

For Prevident 5000 Sensitive:

• How often: Twice a day
• Amount to use: A 1-inch strip of toothpaste
• How long to brush: At least 1 minute
• After brushing: Spit out and rinse your mouth thoroughly
• Regardless of water fluoride: Brush your teeth twice a day with this toothpaste instead of your regular one.

Fluoride Dental rinse or gel:

For ACT Restoring 0.02% Rinse and ACT Total Care 0.02% Rinse:

• How often: Twice a day after brushing
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and don't eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For ACT 0.05% Rinse and Phos-Flur Rinse:

• How often: Once a day after brushing
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For Cavirinse and PreviDent Rinse:

• How often: Once a week, preferably at bedtime after thoroughly brushing your teeth
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and don't eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For Gel-Kam Rinse:

• How often: At least once daily
• Amount to use: After diluting as directed
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and repeat with the remaining solution.

Fluoride Lozenges:

• How often: One lozenge daily
• Regardless of water fluoride: Take the lozenge daily, regardless of the fluoride content in your drinking water.

Fluoride Dose in Childrens

Adequate Intake (AI):

The Adequate Intake (AI) recommendations for fluoride intake for different age groups:

• Infants (1-6 months): 0.01 mg/day; no need for extra supplements for infants under 6 months.
• Infants (7-12 months): 0.5 mg/day
• Children (1-3 years): 0.7 mg/day
• Children (4-8 years): 1 mg/day
• Children (9-13 years): 2 mg/day
• Adolescents (14-18 years): 3 mg/day

These values indicate the recommended daily intake of fluoride for each age group.

Fluoride for the prevention of dental caries:

for dental caries prevention using different forms of fluoride:

Systemic Therapy:

• Drops/Tablets (Fluorabon, Fluor-A-Day, Fluoritab, Flura-drops):
  • Birth to 6 months: No supplement required.
  • 6 months to 3 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 0.25 mg once daily
    • ≥0.3 ppm: No supplement required
  • 3 to 6 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 0.5 mg once daily
    • 0.3 to 0.6 ppm: 0.25 mg once daily
    • 0.6 ppm: No supplement required
  • 6 to 16 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 1 mg once daily
    • 0.3 to 0.6 ppm: 0.5 mg once daily
    • 0.6 ppm: No supplement required
• Lozenges (Lozi-Flur):
  • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: 1 lozenge daily; allow to dissolve slowly in the mouth and swallow.

Topical Therapy:

• Dental Rinse (Phos-Flur, ACT Restoring, ACT Total Care, ACT Anticavity Rinse, ACT Kids, CaviRinse, PreviDent Rinse):
  • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Swish 10 mL once daily after brushing; spit. Do not eat, drink, or rinse for at least 30 minutes after treatment. Follow specific instructions for each rinse.
• Gel (Gel-Kam, Just for Kids):
  • Stannous Fluoride 0.63% (Gel-Kam):
    • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Rinse with 15 mL for 1 minute daily; spit. Repeat with remaining solution.
  • Stannous Fluoride 0.4% (Just for Kids):
    • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Apply a pea-sized amount after brushing; brush for 2 minutes. Spit out and don't eat or drink for 30 minutes.
• Paste (Clinpro 5000, Control Rx, Denta 5000 Plus, PreviDent 5000 Sensitive):
  • Sodium Fluoride 1.1% (Clinpro 5000, Control Rx, Denta 5000 Plus):
    • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Once daily at bedtime, replace regular toothpaste; brush for at least 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
  • PreviDent 5000 Sensitive:
    • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Twice daily, brush with a 1-inch strip for at least 1 minute. Rinse thoroughly.
• Dental Varnish (5% Sodium Fluoride):
  • Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Professionally apply a thin layer every 3 to 6 months on tooth surfaces.

These recommendations aim to provide adequate fluoride for dental health, considering age and fluoride content in drinking water. Follow specific instructions for each product.

Pregnancy Risk Factor B

• Fluoride can pass through the placenta and reach the baby's blood during pregnancy, as mentioned by the Institute of Medicine in 1997.
• Research in animals hasn't shown negative effects on reproduction, and studies in places with lots of fluoride in the water haven't found more problems either.
• However, if a developing baby is exposed to a lot of fluoride before birth, there might be a connection to a bone condition called skeletal fluorosis that can show up later in childhood.
• Overall, while there's some concern about heavy exposure during pregnancy, most studies haven't found major issues with fluoride in the water causing harm to babies or their development.

Fluoride use during breastfeeding:

• Fluoride is naturally present in low amounts in breast milk, and this level isn't notably influenced by fluoride supplements or the fluoride content in drinking water, according to the Institute of Medicine in 1997.
• However, caution is advised when giving fluoride to nursing mothers, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• This implies that while fluoride is naturally present in breast milk and external sources might not drastically change its concentration, it's essential to approach the administration of fluoride to nursing women with care, following the manufacturer's guidance.

Use in Renal disease:

No dosage adjustment has been recommended.

Use in Liver disease:

No dosage adjustment has been recommended.

Side effects of Fluodride (DentaGel)

• Dermatologic:
  • Skin rash
• Gastrointestinal:
  • Dental discoloration (with products containing stannous fluoride; temporary),
  • Nausea
• Hypersensitivity:
  • Hypersensitivity reaction

Contraindications to Fluoride (DentaGel):

• Fluor-A-Day:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water is more than 0.6 ppm.
  • Special consideration: Not recommended for patients with arthralgia, GI ulceration, chronic renal insufficiency and failure, or osteomalacia.
• Fluorabon:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water exceeds 0.6 ppm.
• Fluoritab:
  • When to use: Specifically for patients with dental fluorosis.
• Flura-Drops, LoziFlur:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water is equal to or more than 0.3 ppm.

Warnings and precautions

Dental fluorosis, osseous and dental fluorosis:

• Ingesting too much fluoride over an extended period can lead to dental fluorosis and changes in the bones, particularly if water fluoridation levels surpass 0.6 ppm.
• It's crucial not to exceed the recommended dosage to prevent these effects.
• Dental fluorosis affects the teeth, causing discoloration or mottling, while osseous changes refer to alterations in the bone structure.
• To avoid these issues, it's important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and be mindful of fluoride levels in water sources, especially when they are higher than the advised limit.

Monitoring Parameters:

None Mentioned.

How to administer Fluoride (DentaGel)?

General Instructions:

• Once daily products are typically used at bedtime.
• Rinses are usually applied after regular teeth brushing and should not be swallowed.
• Always check the specific product labeling for additional details.

Product-Specific Instructions:

• Clinpro 5000 Paste, Control Rx 1.1%, Denta 5000 Plus:
  • After brushing, spit out the paste.
• Fluor-A-Day:
  • Tablets should be dissolved in the mouth or chewed before swallowing.
  • Drops can be given in juice or water. Avoid dairy products within 1 hour of administration.
• Fluorabon:
  • Drops can be given directly into the mouth or in non-dairy food that will be completely consumed.
• Flura-Drops:
  • Drops can be given undiluted or in fruit juice or water. Avoid dairy products within 1 hour of administration.
• Lozi-Flur:
  • Lozenge should be dissolved in the mouth and swallowed with saliva.
• Prevident 5000 Sensitive:
  • After brushing for at least 1 minute, spit out, and rinse the mouth thoroughly with water.

Mechanism of action of Fluoride (DentaGel):

• It helps strengthen and repair enamel by promoting the remineralization of weakened areas, prevents the harmful processes caused by cavity-causing microbes in dental plaque, and boosts the ability of teeth to resist being dissolved by acids.
• In simpler terms, it supports the health of your teeth by repairing weakened enamel, stopping harmful plaque bacteria, and making your teeth more resistant to acid damage.

Absorption:

• When taken by mouth, about 50% of it is absorbed from the digestive tract.
• Dairy products might slow down its absorption (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

Distribution:

• Once absorbed, 99% of it is found in calcified tissues, like bones and teeth (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

Excretion:

• The body gets rid of it through urine (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

International Brands of Fluoride:

• Act Kids
• Act Restoring
• Act Total Care Dry Mouth
• Act Total Care Sensitive
• Act Total Care
• Act
• CaviRinse
• Clinpro 5000
• ControlRx
• Denta 5000 Plus
• DentaGel
• Fluor-A-Day
• Fluorabon
• Fluoridex
• Fluoridex Daily Renewal
• Fluoridex Enhanced Whitening
• Fluorinse
• Fluoritab
• Flura-Drops
• Gel-Kam Rinse
• Gel-Kam
• Just For Kids
• Lozi-Flur
• NeutraCare
• NeutraGard Advanced
• Omni Gel
• OrthoWash
• parodontax
• PerioMed
• Phos-Flur
• Phos-Flur Rinse
• PreviDent
• PreviDent 5000 Booster
• PreviDent 5000 Booster Plus
• PreviDent 5000 Dry Mouth
• PreviDent 5000 Plus
• Sensodyne Repair & Protect
• StanGard Perio
• Fluor-A-Day
• AFI-Fluor
• Arthrofluor
• Biogam F
• Bobrusie
• Carident
• Dentalfluoro
• Dentan
• Dentocar
• Duraphat
• Floam
• Floran
• Fludent
• Fluodel
• Fluodont
• Fluodontyl
• Fluoen
• Fluogum
• Fluonatril
• Fluoplexe
• Fluor
• Fluor Crinex
• Fluor Kin
• Fluor Lacer
• Fluor Microsol
• Fluor Oligosol
• Fluor Unicophar
• Fluor-A-Day
• FluorRetard
• Fluor-S.M.B.
• Fluoretas
• Fluorette
• Fluoretten
• Fluorex
• Fluorid Gel DENTSPLY DeTrey
• Fluorilette
• Fluoros
• Fluortabletjes
• Fluorvitin
• Fluossen
• Fluotrat
• Flura
• Flux
• Gammadyn F
• Koreberon
• Medusit
• NAF
• Nafluor
• NaFril
• Natrium Fluoratum
• Natriumfluorid Baer
• Odontocromil
• Oligogranul Fluor
• Oligosol F
• Oligostim Fluor
• Oratol F
• Ospur F
• Ossin
• Osteofluor
• Otofluor
• Pharma-Fluor
• Procal
• Prodent Fluor
• Protectfluor
• Rumafluor
• Sanogyl
• Sensifluor
• Sodio Fluoruro
• Solfluor
• Teeth Tough
• Vinafluor
• Vitamon Fluor
• Zymafluor

Fluoride Brand Names in Pakistan:

It is available in toothpastes as one of the main ingredients.

Fluoride is an anion of the element fluorine, and it plays a significant role in dental health. It is commonly found in nature in various minerals, soil, water, and some foods. Fluoride is well-known for its ability to prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.

Fluoride (DentaGel) is used to prevent dental carries and make teeth stronger by increasing mineralization and preventing them from lysis by acid.

Fluoride Uses:

• It is used to prevent dental caries

Fluoride Dose in Adults

Fluoride Cream or paste:

For Clinpro 5000 Paste, Control Rx 1.1%, Denta 5000 Plus:

• How often: Once a day
• Replace regular toothpaste with: A small amount of paste (like a thin ribbon or pea-sized)
• How long to brush: At least 2 minutes
• Regardless of water fluoride: Use this paste instead of your regular toothpaste.

For Prevident 5000 Sensitive:

• How often: Twice a day
• Amount to use: A 1-inch strip of toothpaste
• How long to brush: At least 1 minute
• After brushing: Spit out and rinse your mouth thoroughly
• Regardless of water fluoride: Brush your teeth twice a day with this toothpaste instead of your regular one.

Fluoride Dental rinse or gel:

For ACT Restoring 0.02% Rinse and ACT Total Care 0.02% Rinse:

• How often: Twice a day after brushing
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and don't eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For ACT 0.05% Rinse and Phos-Flur Rinse:

• How often: Once a day after brushing
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For Cavirinse and PreviDent Rinse:

• How often: Once a week, preferably at bedtime after thoroughly brushing your teeth
• Amount to use: 10 mL (about 2 teaspoons)
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and don't eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Don't swallow.

For Gel-Kam Rinse:

• How often: At least once daily
• Amount to use: After diluting as directed
• How long to rinse: 1 minute
• After rinsing: Spit out, and repeat with the remaining solution.

Fluoride Lozenges:

• How often: One lozenge daily
• Regardless of water fluoride: Take the lozenge daily, regardless of the fluoride content in your drinking water.

Fluoride Dose in Childrens

Adequate Intake (AI):

The Adequate Intake (AI) recommendations for fluoride intake for different age groups:

• Infants (1-6 months): 0.01 mg/day; no need for extra supplements for infants under 6 months.
• Infants (7-12 months): 0.5 mg/day
• Children (1-3 years): 0.7 mg/day
• Children (4-8 years): 1 mg/day
• Children (9-13 years): 2 mg/day
• Adolescents (14-18 years): 3 mg/day

These values indicate the recommended daily intake of fluoride for each age group.

Fluoride for the prevention of dental caries:

for dental caries prevention using different forms of fluoride:

Systemic Therapy:

• Drops/Tablets (Fluorabon, Fluor-A-Day, Fluoritab, Flura-drops):
  • Birth to 6 months: No supplement required.
  • 6 months to 3 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 0.25 mg once daily
    • ≥0.3 ppm: No supplement required
  • 3 to 6 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 0.5 mg once daily
    • 0.3 to 0.6 ppm: 0.25 mg once daily
    • 0.6 ppm: No supplement required
  • 6 to 16 years:
    • <0.3 ppm: 1 mg once daily
    • 0.3 to 0.6 ppm: 0.5 mg once daily
    • 0.6 ppm: No supplement required
• Lozenges (Lozi-Flur):
  • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: 1 lozenge daily; allow to dissolve slowly in the mouth and swallow.

Topical Therapy:

• Dental Rinse (Phos-Flur, ACT Restoring, ACT Total Care, ACT Anticavity Rinse, ACT Kids, CaviRinse, PreviDent Rinse):
  • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Swish 10 mL once daily after brushing; spit. Do not eat, drink, or rinse for at least 30 minutes after treatment. Follow specific instructions for each rinse.
• Gel (Gel-Kam, Just for Kids):
  • Stannous Fluoride 0.63% (Gel-Kam):
    • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Rinse with 15 mL for 1 minute daily; spit. Repeat with remaining solution.
  • Stannous Fluoride 0.4% (Just for Kids):
    • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Apply a pea-sized amount after brushing; brush for 2 minutes. Spit out and don't eat or drink for 30 minutes.
• Paste (Clinpro 5000, Control Rx, Denta 5000 Plus, PreviDent 5000 Sensitive):
  • Sodium Fluoride 1.1% (Clinpro 5000, Control Rx, Denta 5000 Plus):
    • Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: Once daily at bedtime, replace regular toothpaste; brush for at least 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
  • PreviDent 5000 Sensitive:
    • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Twice daily, brush with a 1-inch strip for at least 1 minute. Rinse thoroughly.
• Dental Varnish (5% Sodium Fluoride):
  • Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Professionally apply a thin layer every 3 to 6 months on tooth surfaces.

These recommendations aim to provide adequate fluoride for dental health, considering age and fluoride content in drinking water. Follow specific instructions for each product.

Pregnancy Risk Factor B

• Fluoride can pass through the placenta and reach the baby's blood during pregnancy, as mentioned by the Institute of Medicine in 1997.
• Research in animals hasn't shown negative effects on reproduction, and studies in places with lots of fluoride in the water haven't found more problems either.
• However, if a developing baby is exposed to a lot of fluoride before birth, there might be a connection to a bone condition called skeletal fluorosis that can show up later in childhood.
• Overall, while there's some concern about heavy exposure during pregnancy, most studies haven't found major issues with fluoride in the water causing harm to babies or their development.

Fluoride use during breastfeeding:

• Fluoride is naturally present in low amounts in breast milk, and this level isn't notably influenced by fluoride supplements or the fluoride content in drinking water, according to the Institute of Medicine in 1997.
• However, caution is advised when giving fluoride to nursing mothers, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• This implies that while fluoride is naturally present in breast milk and external sources might not drastically change its concentration, it's essential to approach the administration of fluoride to nursing women with care, following the manufacturer's guidance.

Use in Renal disease:

No dosage adjustment has been recommended.

Use in Liver disease:

No dosage adjustment has been recommended.

Side effects of Fluodride (DentaGel)

• Dermatologic:
  • Skin rash
• Gastrointestinal:
  • Dental discoloration (with products containing stannous fluoride; temporary),
  • Nausea
• Hypersensitivity:
  • Hypersensitivity reaction

Contraindications to Fluoride (DentaGel):

• Fluor-A-Day:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water is more than 0.6 ppm.
  • Special consideration: Not recommended for patients with arthralgia, GI ulceration, chronic renal insufficiency and failure, or osteomalacia.
• Fluorabon:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water exceeds 0.6 ppm.
• Fluoritab:
  • When to use: Specifically for patients with dental fluorosis.
• Flura-Drops, LoziFlur:
  • When to use: When the fluoride content in drinking water is equal to or more than 0.3 ppm.

Warnings and precautions

Dental fluorosis, osseous and dental fluorosis:

• Ingesting too much fluoride over an extended period can lead to dental fluorosis and changes in the bones, particularly if water fluoridation levels surpass 0.6 ppm.
• It's crucial not to exceed the recommended dosage to prevent these effects.
• Dental fluorosis affects the teeth, causing discoloration or mottling, while osseous changes refer to alterations in the bone structure.
• To avoid these issues, it's important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and be mindful of fluoride levels in water sources, especially when they are higher than the advised limit.

Monitoring Parameters:

None Mentioned.

How to administer Fluoride (DentaGel)?

General Instructions:

• Once daily products are typically used at bedtime.
• Rinses are usually applied after regular teeth brushing and should not be swallowed.
• Always check the specific product labeling for additional details.

Product-Specific Instructions:

• Clinpro 5000 Paste, Control Rx 1.1%, Denta 5000 Plus:
  • After brushing, spit out the paste.
• Fluor-A-Day:
  • Tablets should be dissolved in the mouth or chewed before swallowing.
  • Drops can be given in juice or water. Avoid dairy products within 1 hour of administration.
• Fluorabon:
  • Drops can be given directly into the mouth or in non-dairy food that will be completely consumed.
• Flura-Drops:
  • Drops can be given undiluted or in fruit juice or water. Avoid dairy products within 1 hour of administration.
• Lozi-Flur:
  • Lozenge should be dissolved in the mouth and swallowed with saliva.
• Prevident 5000 Sensitive:
  • After brushing for at least 1 minute, spit out, and rinse the mouth thoroughly with water.

Mechanism of action of Fluoride (DentaGel):

• It helps strengthen and repair enamel by promoting the remineralization of weakened areas, prevents the harmful processes caused by cavity-causing microbes in dental plaque, and boosts the ability of teeth to resist being dissolved by acids.
• In simpler terms, it supports the health of your teeth by repairing weakened enamel, stopping harmful plaque bacteria, and making your teeth more resistant to acid damage.

Absorption:

• When taken by mouth, about 50% of it is absorbed from the digestive tract.
• Dairy products might slow down its absorption (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

Distribution:

• Once absorbed, 99% of it is found in calcified tissues, like bones and teeth (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

Excretion:

• The body gets rid of it through urine (Institute of Medicine, 1997).

International Brands of Fluoride:

• Act Kids
• Act Restoring
• Act Total Care Dry Mouth
• Act Total Care Sensitive
• Act Total Care
• Act
• CaviRinse
• Clinpro 5000
• ControlRx
• Denta 5000 Plus
• DentaGel
• Fluor-A-Day
• Fluorabon
• Fluoridex
• Fluoridex Daily Renewal
• Fluoridex Enhanced Whitening
• Fluorinse
• Fluoritab
• Flura-Drops
• Gel-Kam Rinse
• Gel-Kam
• Just For Kids
• Lozi-Flur
• NeutraCare
• NeutraGard Advanced
• Omni Gel
• OrthoWash
• parodontax
• PerioMed
• Phos-Flur
• Phos-Flur Rinse
• PreviDent
• PreviDent 5000 Booster
• PreviDent 5000 Booster Plus
• PreviDent 5000 Dry Mouth
• PreviDent 5000 Plus
• Sensodyne Repair & Protect
• StanGard Perio
• Fluor-A-Day
• AFI-Fluor
• Arthrofluor
• Biogam F
• Bobrusie
• Carident
• Dentalfluoro
• Dentan
• Dentocar
• Duraphat
• Floam
• Floran
• Fludent
• Fluodel
• Fluodont
• Fluodontyl
• Fluoen
• Fluogum
• Fluonatril
• Fluoplexe
• Fluor
• Fluor Crinex
• Fluor Kin
• Fluor Lacer
• Fluor Microsol
• Fluor Oligosol
• Fluor Unicophar
• Fluor-A-Day
• FluorRetard
• Fluor-S.M.B.
• Fluoretas
• Fluorette
• Fluoretten
• Fluorex
• Fluorid Gel DENTSPLY DeTrey
• Fluorilette
• Fluoros
• Fluortabletjes
• Fluorvitin
• Fluossen
• Fluotrat
• Flura
• Flux
• Gammadyn F
• Koreberon
• Medusit
• NAF
• Nafluor
• NaFril
• Natrium Fluoratum
• Natriumfluorid Baer
• Odontocromil
• Oligogranul Fluor
• Oligosol F
• Oligostim Fluor
• Oratol F
• Ospur F
• Ossin
• Osteofluor
• Otofluor
• Pharma-Fluor
• Procal
• Prodent Fluor
• Protectfluor
• Rumafluor
• Sanogyl
• Sensifluor
• Sodio Fluoruro
• Solfluor
• Teeth Tough
• Vinafluor
• Vitamon Fluor
• Zymafluor

Fluoride Brand Names in Pakistan:

It is available in toothpastes as one of the main ingredients.