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Fluoride Treatments Don't Reduce Cavities
The use of professional dental applications of fluoride may not be providing any benefit to children, even though they are widely used and generally accepted to reduce the rate of tooth decay.
This study evaluated the association between this practice and the number of cavities. The data from over 15,000 children and for treatment provided by over 1,500 different dentists, were analyzed.
The researchers followed-up with the children for a period averaging over 5 years. No difference in tooth decay rates were seen for "baby" or permanent teeth.
The authors note that there are already numerous recommendations that professionally applied topical fluorides should be used only in children with moderate to high rates of decay.
However, they question whether these guidelines are being followed, considering the fact that approximately two-thirds of the children in the study received topical fluoride at every recall visit, nearly two times per year.
J Public Health Dent 2000; 60: 33-8
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