Topical Fluoride Agents for Caries Prevention

Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Professionally Applied Topical Fluoride Agent

Younger Than 6 Years

2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months (In Favor)
335306

6-18 Years

2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (In Favor)
335306

1.23 percent fluoride (APF*) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months

(In Favor)
335306

Older Than18 Years

2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (Expert Opinion For)
335306
1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months (Expert Opinion For)
335306

Adult Root Caries

2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (Expert Opinion For)
335306
1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months (Expert Opinion For)
335306

Prescription-Strength, Home-Use Topical Fluoride Agent

6-18 Years

0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse at least weekly or (In Favor)
335306
0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
335306

Older Than 18 Years

0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse at least weekly or (Expert Opinion For)
335306
0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
335306

Adult Root Caries

0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse daily or (Expert Opinion For)
335306
0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
335306

Additional Information

0.1 percent fluoride varnish, 1.23 percent fluoride (APF) foam or prophylaxis pastes are not recommended for preventing coronal caries in all age groups. The full report, which includes more details, is available at http://ebd.ada.org// ClinicalRecommendations.aspx. ()
(Expert Opinion Against or Against)
335306
No prescription-strength or professionally applied topical fluoride agents except 2.26 percent fluoride varnish are recommended for children younger than 6 years, but practitioners may consider the use of these other agents on the basis of their assessment of individual patient factors that alter the benefit-to-harm relationship. ()
(Expert Opinion Against or Against)
335306
Prophylaxis before to 1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel application is not necessary for coronal caries prevention in all age groups. The full report, which includes more details, is available at http://ebd.ada.org//ClinicalRecommendations.aspx. No recommendation can be made for prophylaxis before application of other topical fluoride agents. ()

(Expert Opinion Against or Against)

335306
Patients at low risk of developing caries may not need additional topical fluorides other than over-the-counter fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated water.
* APF: Acidulated phosphate fluoride.

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Topical Fluoride Agents for Caries Prevention

Authoring Organizations

Publication Month/Year

October 29, 2013

Last Updated Month/Year

August 22, 2023

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

A panel of experts convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs presents evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding professionally applied and prescription-strength, home-use topical fluoride agents for caries prevention.

Target Patient Population

Patients who seek caries prevention

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Childcare center, Outpatient, School

Intended Users

Dentist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Prevention

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D011315 - Preventive Medicine, D005459 - Fluorides, D003731 - Dental Caries, D011313 - Preventive Dentistry, D005460 - Fluorides, Topical

Keywords

preventive care, dental caries, topical fluoride, caries prevention