Are fluoride mouth rinses available?
• They are, but they are not recommended for children under the age of seven, because they must not be swallowed. • Daily rinses are available with a .05% concentration of fluoride. These are more effective than the weekly rinses containing a 0.2% concentration. • Daily rinses are especially useful during orthodontic treatment, when cleaning around brackets and wires can be difficult. • They are also advisable for people who have a very high rate of tooth decay. • Fluoride rinses can actually reduce enamel softening, which is an early sign of decay. As with toothpaste, this enamel hardening process is called remineralisation.
