This document summarizes different methods of fluoride use for preventing dental caries. It discusses systemic fluorides including water fluoridation, school water fluoridation, fluoridated salt, and dietary fluoride supplements. It also discusses topical fluorides including professionally and self-applied topical fluoride treatments, fluoridated toothpastes, and fluoride mouth rinses. Water fluoridation and fluoridated toothpastes are highlighted as two of the most effective and widespread methods for caries prevention.

1. Systemic & Topical Fluorides

2. Systemic Fluorides 1- Water Fluoridation 2- School Water Fluoridation 3- Fluoridate salt 4- Dietary Fluoride Supplements

3. Water Fluoridation The controlled addition of a F compound to a water supply system in order to bring its concentration up to an optimal to prevent dental caries

4. Rapids Michigan 1945 The first to have F added to the water supply 15 yrs study Results were so impressive in few yrs that other cities joined

5. Level of F concentration Depends on the climate (mean temperature) Ranges from 0.7 to 1.2 PPM

6. Water Fluoridation Studies showed reduction of dental caries in children by 40 % to 70% & Root caries in the adults by 20 % to 40 %

7. Water Fluoridation 1- the least expensive 2- most effective way to reach to large group of people

8. School Water Fluoridation -it’s used when it’s not possible to apply community water fluoridation -Children don’t receive the benefits until they were old enough to begin school (6yrs) -Children consumed the water only when they were at school -To compensate for the reduced exposure, higher than optimal F concentration for community fluoridation was used (4.5 times) -The procedures was reported dental caries among schoolchildren by about 40%

9. Fluoridate salt -was 1 st used in Switzerland in 1955 -The reduction in caries incidence was found to be parallel to that found with water fluoridation -The WHO found it to be appropriate for developing countries -Several countries are starting to adopt it, but not in USA or Canada bc of the extent of water fluoridation

10. Dietary Fluoride Supplements -It’s recommended for children living where community fluoride program are not available -To provide maximum benefit the child should receive F supplements on a daily basis from birth until about 13 yrs of age -May be in form of tablets, lozenges, drops, liquids, and F vitamin preparations -They are more costly than water fluoridation -It need a high degree of motivation from both parents and children

11. Topical Fluoride 1- Topically Applied F 2- Fluoridated Toothpastes 3-Fluoride Mouth Rinses

12. 1- Topically Applied F They can be either professionally done (in the dental office) or self applied (at home)

13. 1- Topically Applied F Professionally applied F are of higher concentration than those used at home and are usually done at 6-12 months intervals Both ways produce approximately the same degree of benefits

14. 2- Fluoridated Toothpastes They are considered as one of the most common forms of topical F In addition to the abrasive and flavoring agent, F is added to the toothpaste as the preventive (therapeutic) agent The toothpaste usually contain about 1000 to 1100 PPM of F, and has offered 15% to 30 % reduction in dental caries Young children should be supervised during brushing to avoid excessive F consumption

15. 3-Fluoride Mouth Rinses They could be used on daily or weekly basis Caries reduction from daily use have been reported as only slightly greater than those used weekly Caries reduction in children was about 20% to 35 % They should not be used by very young children or people who are unable to effectively expectorate the product from their mouths