Fluoride treatment for adults
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Fluoride Treatment for Adults: Efficacy and Applications
High-Fluoride Dentifrice for Root Caries Prevention
Effectiveness in Older Adults
High-fluoride dentifrices, particularly those containing 5,000 ppm fluoride, have shown significant effectiveness in preventing and arresting root carious lesions (RCLs) in older adults. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 345 community-dwelling older adults demonstrated that brushing twice daily with 5,000 ppm fluoride dentifrice significantly reduced the percentage of active RCLs from 29.74% to 3.72% over two years. In contrast, the control group using 1,450 ppm fluoride dentifrice saw an increase in active RCLs from 24.32% to 40.52%. This suggests that high-fluoride dentifrice is a superior non-invasive treatment option for managing root caries in older populations.
Systematic Reviews on Fluoride Efficacy
General Caries Prevention in Adults
A meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing dental caries in adults found that both self- and professionally applied fluoride, as well as water fluoridation, are effective. The analysis revealed that fluoride annually prevents 0.29 carious coronal surfaces and 0.22 carious root surfaces in adults aged 20+ years. Additionally, water fluoridation alone was found to reduce caries by 27%. These findings underscore the broad efficacy of fluoride treatments across different adult age groups.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) for Older Adults
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has also been evaluated for its effectiveness in managing caries in older adults. Systematic reviews indicate that SDF is highly effective in preventing and arresting root caries, with a prevented fraction of 71% in a three-year study and 25% in a two-year study. The caries arrest rate for SDF was significantly higher than placebo, with no severe adverse effects reported. This positions SDF as a valuable tool in caries management for older adults.
Supplemental Fluoride Use for High Caries Risk Adults
Various Fluoride Modalities
A systematic review focusing on moderate and high caries risk adults highlighted several effective fluoride modalities. These include low-strength sodium fluoride (NaF) rinses, 1.1% NaF pastes/gels, and fluoride varnishes. The review found that these treatments are moderately effective in reducing carious lesions, with risk reduction rates ranging from 35% to 148% for different fluoride applications. This evidence supports the use of supplemental fluoride treatments in adults at higher risk of caries.
Fluoride Interventions for Root Caries
Specific Fluoride Treatments
A review of fluoride interventions for root caries in adults concluded that high concentration fluoride dentifrices and additional mouthwashes significantly reduce root caries incidence and severity. The studies reviewed indicated that increased fluoride application is beneficial for root caries prevention and treatment. This reinforces the importance of targeted fluoride treatments for maintaining oral health in adults.
Conclusion
Fluoride treatments, including high-fluoride dentifrices, silver diamine fluoride, and various supplemental fluoride applications, are effective in preventing and managing dental caries in adults. These treatments are particularly beneficial for older adults and those at high risk of caries. The evidence supports the inclusion of high-fluoride products in oral health programs for adults to enhance caries prevention and treatment outcomes.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic