Caries-Preventive Fluoride Treatment of the Individual

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Abstract
The caries-reducing effect of topical fluoride is greater in newly erupted than in more mature teeth. Treatments should be given as soon as possible after tooth eruption. The effectiveness observed in deciduous and permanent teeth is of the same order. The few studies reported on adults indicate less effectiveness than in children but topical treatments are indicated in caries-prone adults. Benefits are less in lifelong consumers of fluoridated water or fluoride supplements than in fluoride-deficient individuals, but topical treatments are likely to confer added protection to caries-susceptible persons. Some recent topical studies show a smaller reduction in caries than was obtained in many studies performed several years ago. This may be due to the current frequent use of other methods of fluoride utilization (pills, rinses, dentifrices), which all confer topical protection.