Duraphat and other high fluoride toothpastes

GustyGardenGalaxy

I've been using Duraphat 2800 for many years but my current dentist doesn't have any in stock.

As I'm nearly out of my last tube of Duraphat 2800 what high fluoride (and commonly available) toothpaste can I use until my dentist is able to provide me with some more Duraphat?

I could ask my dentist of course but she's always very busy and it's tough to get a response.

luvchocolate

I get mine on a prescription from the dentist

olgadapolga

luvchocolate wrote: »

I get mine on a prescription from the dentist

Same here, via prescription

Toothsmith

You can get it on prescription from your dentist if you're an NHS patient. Private dental patients can't (shouldn't) get NHS prescriptions from their dentist, and purely private dentists don't have NHS prescription pads.

Drs CAN prescribe it, but as their prescriptions come off their drugs budget, many refuse to prescribe for dental things.

Duraphat is a prescription only item (but that does mean you can buy it directly from your dentist as that counts as 'prescribing')

Toothpastes you can buy have a limit of 1450ppm fluoride - so that's half of what Duraphat 2800 is.

So - what to do?

If your dentist has none in stock, are you able to get an NHS prescription for it? (The prescription charge, if you pay it, might be more than the cost of a tube though, but if they prescribe you 2 tubes, then it's better) It's possible another dental practice might sell you some if your dentist writes you a note (a private prescription) By the same token, the pharmacist could sell you some with a private prescription from your dentist.

Alternatively - you could look at your diet and do something about your frequency of sugar consumption which would give you a lower risk status for decay, and mean you wouldn't need a high fluoride toothpaste.

silvercar

When will your dentist reorder?

Mine would say to phone in to see when it's back in stock. Incidentally my dentist charges £4.50. A friend at a different dental practice is charged the NHS prescription fee.

GustyGardenGalaxy

Toothsmith wrote: »

You can get it on prescription from your dentist if you're an NHS patient. Private dental patients can't (shouldn't) get NHS prescriptions from their dentist, and purely private dentists don't have NHS prescription pads.
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Thanks for the info. Firstly, I don't have much sugar in my diet (I used to though).

Which toothpaste would you recommend that has a high fluoride content but is available over the counter?

Toothsmith

Any of the more popular brands will have the max 1450ppm fluoride content

Colgate total, Crest etc.

Look on the ingredients and it should tell you. The Oral B Pro Expert one is good too.

brook2jack

There is no high fluoride toothpaste available over the counter. It is only available by NHS or private prescription.

One other point is that children's tooth pastes have low concentrations of fluoride. So children should be using a child's toothpaste up to three and then using adult toothpaste. Also if an adult is using a child's toothpaste because they like the taste they should be aware that there is not enough fluoride to be clinically effective.

Toothsmith

I tend to encourage my patients to use a smear of adult toothpaste on the kids teeth right from the start. Kids toothpastes are a relatively new invention, and not a force for good, IMHO

GustyGardenGalaxy

Toothsmith wrote: »

Any of the more popular brands will have the max 1450ppm fluoride content

Colgate total, Crest etc.

Look on the ingredients and it should tell you. The Oral B Pro Expert one is good too.

Thanks a lot.

olgadapolga

Toothsmith wrote: »

Alternatively - you could look at your diet and do something about your frequency of sugar consumption which would give you a lower risk status for decay, and mean you wouldn't need a high fluoride toothpaste.

Just as an aside, as not everyone (including myself) can reduce the sugar content in their diet (it's already pretty low as I eat quite healthily - and yes, I can quite honestly say that) - I was prescribed Duraphat due to a dry mouth/lack of saliva which my dentist said put me at higher risk of cavities/decay.