Ortho vocabulary question (rather pointless, but still...)

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#1 Post by **sauerkraut** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:29 am

This has been bugging me for ages, so I've finally decided to ask here.

Occasionally at the end of treatment at either dentist or ortho, they will apply a fluoride preparation to the teeth -- a clear fluid that tastes and smells pretty disgusting. What's it called? The German word could translate as lacquer, varnish, polish, even paint. It doesn't really matter. But I'd just like to know

!!

#2 Post by **Saysee** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:21 am

Veneer?

#3 Post by **sauerkraut** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:26 pm

Thanks for answering: I thought everyone would probably ignore me! But no, it's not veneer. I don't think I explained very well. I didn't mean the end of treatment completely, but last thing they do at the end of a a visit for an adjustment, say. I have bad gum recession and need extra fluoride, so they paint the teeth and gumline with this liquid -- a bit like applying nail polish, with a little brush. And it's called fluoride "something-or-other". But WHAT??!! Oh, the little things that can get on one's nerves...

#4 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:00 pm

I don't know, but I tried to do a google for you and came up with 'flouride varnish'

Maybe?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoride_varnish

#5 Post by **sauerkraut** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:18 pm

Ah, brilliant, CB, that must be it. Thank you SO much

! It's very commonly used where I live but from that article it sounds like it's not so popular elsewhere. Not surprised: it tastes revolting

#6 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:28 am

No problem

It looks like a good idea to treat gum recession, actually. But glad I don't have the problem

#7 Post by **sauerkraut** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:15 am

D'you know, thinking about it, they splat this stuff on everyone, gum recession or no. The Germans sure love their fluoride. Parents here are advised to give their kids fluoride supplements from babyhood on (sshh, don't let on, but I didn't do that -- too concerned about the risk of discolouration...). And we're supposed to treat our teeth with a fluoride gel once a week -- stuff you buy from the chemist and apply a bit like toothpaste. Second confession: I'm a bit lax with that as well

Although if I remember rightly the water supply n England is fluoridated (or it was where I grew up) and they don't do that here.

#8 Post by **Faerydust** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:13 pm

That's disappointing that your fluoride varnish didn't taste good, the office I work in uses bubble gum flavor and it's not too bad.

In the US fluoride use is a hot topic. In my state the water is not fluoridated and lots of parents are against fluoride use. Some people believe it's poison (and it is in excessive quanities, but so are some other things that are good for us at normal levels) and others praise it for lowering decay rates in fluoridated areas.

#9 Post by **tingrin in OR** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:17 pm

I receive the same type of Flouride treatment about every 4th adjustment. The stuff is toxic. Not sure what the flavor is supposed to be but it isn't good! They slather it on at my ortho, and I'm told to not drink anything warm for a couple hours or remove it until I brush at night (my appointments are in the late afternoon). I hate that it gets stuck under the archwire-it leaves a gooey type of film until I brush. Not sure what good it does since I end up brushing it off or picking out chunks of it- whatever is left over after I'm sure I've eaten some of it with my dinner. I am glad I don't have to go thru that every 3 weeks! BLAH!