What it means
A form of the element fluorine added to many community water supplies, toothpaste and mouth rinses, and applied by dental and medical providers as a varnish. It helps prevent dental cariesDEN-tul KAIR-eezTooth decay: damage to the hard outer layers of a tooth that forms holes (cavities).Full entry . Too much while teeth are forming in childhood can cause white or brown spots on the teeth (dental fluorosis), and swallowing large amounts is poisonous.
For the nurse
Teach parents to use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6, and to keep toothpaste out of reach.
At a glance
| Drug class | mineral (dental caries preventive) |
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Related terms
dental caries
Tooth decay: damage to the hard outer layers of a tooth that forms holes (cavities).