It used to be said that dental caries was a childhood disease and that it was children alone who benefited from fluoride, however this view is now outdated. While it is true that fluoride can be incorporated during tooth development, the general consensus is that it is the topical delivery of fluoride post-eruption that is most effective. This means that fluoride prevention is required throughout life and provides benefits to all age groups.
Many dental teams have asked the health department for clear guidance about the preventive advice they should give, and the actions they should take, to be sure they are doing the best for their patients in preventing and managing caries. In order to support this preventive approach, the health department published Delivering better oral health - An evidence-based toolkit for prevention. This guidance document, intended for the whole dental team, provides guidance on how to implement the evidence informed actions.
Colgate offers a portfolio of products supported by clinically proven efficacy. This comprehensive range includes products to help maintain good oral health, to some specific products which help in the prevention and management of caries.
In accordance with the guidance in Delivering better oral health, the Colgate Duraphat range of unique high fluoride products increases fluoride availability to prevent caries. This range includes in-surgery and home use products, and helps to deliver an effective prevention programme to meet the needs of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
High fluoride toothpastes
Colgate Duraphat 2800ppm Fluoride Toothpaste is indicated for patients giving cause for concern who are 10 years or over. Colgate Duraphat 2800ppm fluoride toothpaste can help prevent caries developing on emerging permanent dentition. This is especially useful for those patients who have experienced caries in the past during childhood, or have an increased likelihood of caries developing.
Colgate Duraphat 5000ppm Fluoride Toothpaste is indicated for patients giving cause for concern in those who are aged 16 and over. Clinically proven, Colgate Duraphat 5000ppm fluoride toothpaste can help prevent caries in adolescent and adult patients. Results for the Adult Dental Health study 2009 show that over the last 30 years, the proportion of adults in England without natural teeth has fallen from 28 per cent in 1978 to only six per cent in 2009. With prevalence and severity of gingival recession increasing with age, so too does the risk of root caries. Clinical studies on the efficacy of Colgate Duraphat 5000ppm Fluoride Toothpaste report hardening of 54.9 per cent of primary root carious lesions after three months and 76.1 per cent after six months. This indicates potential benefits for patients with exposed roots, roots caries or a history of periodontal disease.
Both Colgate Duraphat high fluoride toothpastes are available to prescribe from the Dental Practitioners' Formulary.
Fluoride varnish
There is extensive evidence for the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in preventing caries in both the primary and permanent dentition. A number of systematic reviews conclude that twice-yearly applications produce a mean caries reduction of 33 per cent in the primary dentition and 46 per cent in the permanent dentition. Colgate Duraphat varnish, for professional application in surgery, should be applied as a thin layer to susceptible areas of the dentition. Apply twice yearly for caries prevention in all children aged three years and above, increasing to three to four applications per year for those giving cause for concern. Adults also giving cause for concern should receive twice yearly applications of fluoride varnish to prevent caries.
For information see www.colgateprofessional.co.uk
References available on request.