Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Multiple fluoride exposure

Cristina Nuca, Corneliu Amariei, Laura-Daniela Rusu, Albertine Leon

Intensely studied in the last 70 years, the use of fluoride in dental medicine was proved to be one of
the most revolutionary and efficient method for preventing the dental decay at a global level, and it
still represents an actual subject of the oral health research.
The therapeutical sources of fluorides include water fluoridation, fluoride tablets and other products
for systemical use, and the fluoride agents for topical applications. The access to all these
sources is extremely variable and depends on general factors (social, cultural or environmental conditions)
and also on individual factors (dietary habits, individual hygiene, and others).
The water fluoridation is an efficient preventive method, which can be applied at any age. The fluoride
toothpastes are the topical fluoride agent generally recommended. The products for systemical
use and the topical agents for professional use are recommended only in the non-fluoride areas
and also for the patients with increased caries risk.
In order to have a maximum preventive effect in the same time with a minimum risk for producing
dental fluorosis of permanent teeth, a revised way of using the fluoride products has to be adopted,
on the basis of knowledge of the most efficient methods, of the possible combinations and also of the
best way of application of all therapeutical fluoride sources.