The Impact of Fluoride on Lifelong Dental Health
Fluoride is valuable for everyone from the time of their first tooth eruption until they no longer have any teeth . While the incidence of dental caries has steadily declined since the advent of fluoridated water and fluoride toothpastes , dental caries continues to be a risk for every age group while they still have teeth .
These are facts that can be shared with patients : According to research , 92 % of adults 20-64 years of age have had dental caries in permanent teeth . Adults with caries , missing , or filled permanent teeth is roughly 86 % in the 20-34 age group , 94 % in the 35-49 age group , and almost 96 % in the 50-64 age group . 1
Furthermore , there is evidence that more than half of children 6 to 8 years of age have a cavity in their primary teeth . 2 Almost 60 % of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 have had a cavity in a permanent tooth . 2 Up to 90 % of adults 20 or older have had at least one cavity . 2 And 1 in 4 people aged 20 to 64 have had dental caries in permanent teeth or currently have at least one untreated cavity . 3
While research shows there remains a prevalence of dental caries in adults , a recent ACT ® -sponsored survey of dentists was telling : 63 % of respondents said fluoride was top of mind for their adult patients . 4 While the results are encouraging , the data also implies there is still an opportunity to better educate patients of all ages about the benefits of topical fluoride and how it will help them improve their dental health . Reinforcing that routine brushing , cleaning between teeth , and using a fluoride rinse will help protect their teeth from caries as they age is indeed appropriate .
Reinforcing the Importance of Fluoride Use for Lifelong Dental Health
4