How can I get more fluoride to protect my teeth?

One of the easiest ways to get more fluoride is simply by drinking more water. Since 1945, we have been adding fluoride to community drinking water supplies and the ADA states that 70 years of scientific research shows that this safe method prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. This fluoride is added to the water at about 1 ppm (parts per million).

The next option is OTC (over-the-counter) fluoride rinses; an example would be ACT. These rinses are recommended to be used daily and contain approximately 230 ppm of fluoride, which is the highest concentration of fluoride allowed in OTC products.

Then we have the daunting toothpaste aisle! The amount of fluoride in OTC toothpaste is approximately 1,000-1,500 ppm. And it is recommended to be used twice a day.

For people that don’t want to add an extra step to their routine, a prescription toothpaste such as Prevident 5000 is available. Just like the name, it has 5000 ppm of fluoride in it.

And finally, the highest concentration of fluoride you can get, 22,600 ppm, is called fluoride varnish. It is painted on your teeth by a dental professional and is recommended two times a year.

– from Pam B. (Dental Hygienist)