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)
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2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (In Favor)
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1.23 percent fluoride (APF*) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months
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2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (Expert Opinion For)
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1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months (Expert Opinion For)
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2.26 percent fluoride varnish at least every three to six months or (Expert Opinion For)
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1.23 percent fluoride (APF) gel for four minutes at least every three to six months (Expert Opinion For)
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Prescription-Strength, Home-Use Topical Fluoride Agent
0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse at least weekly or (In Favor)
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0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
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0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse at least weekly or (Expert Opinion For)
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0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
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0.09 percent fluoride mouthrinse daily or (Expert Opinion For)
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0.5 percent fluoride gel or paste twice daily (Expert Opinion For)
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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. ()
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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. ()
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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. ()
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Patients at low risk of developing caries may not need additional topical fluorides other than over-the-counter fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated water.
Title
Topical Fluoride Agents for Caries Prevention
Publication Month/Year
October 29, 2013
Last Updated Month/Year
August 22, 2023
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
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