In-Office Fluoride Treatments

If you, or a family member, are at a moderate-to-high risk of developing caries, a professional fluoride treatment can help. The fluoride preparation used in the dental office is a much stronger concentration than that in toothpastes or fluoride mouth rinses that may be available in a store or at a pharmacy.

Professional fluoride treatments generally take just a few minutes. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam or varnish. Typically, it is applied with a cotton swab or brush, or it is used as a rinse or placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes.

After the treatment, you may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic carious areas. Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six or twelve months. Your dentist also may recommend additional preventive measures if you are at a moderate or high risk of developing caries. These measures may include over-the-counter or prescription therapeutic products such as fluoride mouth rinses, gels or antibacterial mouth rinses.

At-Home Prescription Fluoride

Colgate® PreviDent® 5000 Plus (Rx) is prescription strength fluoride toothpaste that can deliver 5000 ppm fluoride. It combines the cleaning power of a tooth paste with prescription-strength fluoride for dental caries protection.
A dental caries preventive; for once daily self-applied topical use. PreviDent 5000 Plus (Rx) brand of 1.1% sodium fluoride in a squeeze-tube is easily applied onto a toothbrush. This prescription dental cream should be used once daily in place of your regular toothpaste unless otherwise instructed by your dental professional. May be used in areas where drinking water is fluoridated since topical fluoride cannot produce fluorosis. (See WARNINGS for exception.)