After fluoride treatment
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Fluoride Treatment: Efficacy and Outcomes
Fluoride Retention in Oral Cavity
Fluoride Levels in Saliva and Plaque
After the application of home-use topical fluorides, fluoride (F) levels in the mouth vary significantly based on the type of fluoride product used. Studies show that fluoride gel (FG) results in the highest fluoride retention in whole saliva and pooled plaque, followed by fluoride rinse (FR), fluoride dentifrice (FD), and placebo dentifrice (PD). Night-time application of fluoride products prolongs fluoride retention in whole saliva but not in plaque. The recycling of fluoride in ductal saliva due to inadvertent ingestion of fluoride products does not significantly contribute to fluoride levels in the mouth.
Prevention of Dental Caries
Fluoride in Orthodontic Treatment
Fluoride is effective in reducing early dental decay, particularly in orthodontic patients. Various forms of topical fluoride, such as varnishes, foams, and high-concentration toothpastes, have been compared for their efficacy in preventing demineralized lesions (DLs) during fixed brace treatment. Studies indicate that fluoride varnish applied every six weeks and high-concentration fluoride toothpaste (5000 ppm F) may reduce the incidence of new DLs, although the evidence is of low certainty . There is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of other fluoride delivery methods, such as fluoride-releasing glass beads or different fluoride formulations .
Fluoride for Children and Adolescents
Topical fluoride therapies, including varnishes, gels, mouthrinses, and toothpastes, have been extensively used to prevent dental caries in children and adolescents. Meta-analyses show that these treatments can reduce caries increment by approximately 26% . The effectiveness of fluoride varies based on the type of fluoride product, application method, and initial caries levels. Professionally applied fluoride varnish and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) are particularly effective in remineralizing early enamel caries and arresting dentine caries in children .
Recovery and Efficacy of Fluoride Treatments
Recovery of Acid Production in Biofilms
Despite the anti-acidogenic properties of fluoride, Streptococcus mutans biofilms can recover their acid production after short-term fluoride treatments. The recovery is concentration-dependent and follows a biphasic pattern, with an initial rapid recovery followed by a slower phase. Periodic fluoride treatments reduce acid production during the treatment period but do not sustain anti-acidogenic activity in the long term.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) in Caries Management
SDF has been shown to be effective in arresting dentine caries in primary molars of preschool children, with similar results to atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) but requiring less chair-time. However, a single annual application of SDF did not show a statistically significant additional preventive effect on root caries development in older adults when used alongside a fluoride varnish routine.
Conclusion
Fluoride treatments, including gels, varnishes, mouthrinses, and high-concentration toothpastes, are effective in reducing dental caries in various populations. The method of fluoride delivery, concentration, and application timing are crucial factors influencing fluoride retention and efficacy. While fluoride treatments are beneficial, the recovery of acid production in biofilms and the need for further research on optimal fluoride delivery methods highlight the complexity of caries prevention strategies.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic