TFA

Since blogging is a way of sharing one's thoughts, experiences and life's journey, i would like to share some of my Profession's techniques i have in mind....

First of which, is to share how a Topical Fluoride is applied....

For most of the cases i encountered, children are the most common patients receiving this procedure, little do people know why Fluoride is good for the teeth...

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TFA PROCEDURES:

Determine the size of the tray.

Prepare the fluoride tray.

Dispense on the tray the 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride, it is about 1/3 of the height of the tray.

Dont use metal instrument for it will react in the fluoride, use only plastic instrument.

Isolate tooth surfaces using cotton rolls (placement: upper- buccal & labial surfaces. lower-buccal, labial & lingual surfaces)

Dry tooth surfaces with compressed air.

Let the patient sit in an upright manner.

Removed the cotton rolls.

Make sure the surfaces are dry with compressed air.

Instruct the patient to breed into his nose going out to his mouth.

Fold the tray and place it inside the patient's mouth for about 4 minutes.

Instruct the patient not to swallow the flouride solution.

After 4 minutes remove the tray.

Instruct the patient to spit the excess flouride on a plastic container.

Tell the patient not the eat,drink or rinse for 30 minutes.

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To start with, let me define what Fluoride means?.....Functionally, it helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. In children under six years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.

Fluoride therapy is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Most commonly, fluoride is applied topically to the teeth using gels, varnishes, toothpaste/dentifrices or mouth rinse. Systemic delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical? (via webmd.com)

It is certainly important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the timeframe during which the primary and permanent teeth come in. However, adults benefit from fluoride too. New research indicates that topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth.

In addition, people with certain conditions may be at increased risk of tooth decay and would therefore benefit from additional fluoride treatment. They include people with:

• Dry mouth conditions : Dry mouth caused by diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, certain medications (such as allergy medications, antihistamines, anti- anxiety drugs, and high blood pressure drugs), and head and neck radiation treatment makes an individual more prone to tooth decay. The lack of saliva makes it harder for food particles to be washed away and acids to be neutralized.
• Gum disease : Also called gingivitis, gum disease can expose more of your tooth and tooth roots to bacteria increasing the chance of tooth decay.
• History of frequent cavities : If you have one cavity every year or every other year, you might benefit from additional fluoride.
• Presence of crowns and/or bridges or braces : These treatments can put teeth at risk for decay at the point where the crown meets the underlying tooth structure or around the brackets of orthodontic appliances.