Fluoride Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Dentists can apply fluoride directly to teeth in the form of a gel, foam or varnish. Typically, fluoride treatments cost $20 -$50. For example, the Brandywine Smile Center^[1] in Pennsylvania offers adult fluoride treatments for $35. Dental insurance might cover the cost of fluoride treatments because it is a preventive measure.
• Home fluoride treatment gels and rinses are made by a variety of oral care manufacturers. Generally, gels and mouthwashes with fluoride cost $5 -$20. Colgate, for example, makes gel and mouthwash products^[2] that offer fluoride protection.
• Many brands of toothpaste come with small doses of fluoride. Generally, toothpastes containing fluoride costs $2 -$7 per tube.
• Fluoride treatments can be part of a routine dental exam and cleaning. A standard teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist can cost $75-$200; with X-rays and an exam by the dentist the total can be $100-$300 or more.

• A dentist applies fluoride directly to a patient's teeth using a gel, foam or varnish. Varnishes and gels can be painted on the teeth; gels typically are placed in a mouth guard a held in place for about 5 minutes. The Journal of the American Dental Association explains the procedure for fluoride treatments^[3] in a dentist's office.

• Home fluoride kits might require mouth trays for the application process. Basic fluoride trays are frequently sold in bulk, and it can cost $7-$40 or more for a package of 50-100. For example, Plak Smacker offers a bag of 50 Dual-Arched Hinged Foam Fluoride Trays^[4] for $7.50 and Amazon sells a package of 50 Sultan Topex Large Dual Arch Fluoride Trays^[5] for $29 plus $5 shipping, or $34 total.
• Fluoridated water is available in many communities across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoridated water^[6] costs the average consumer about $1 per year. As a result of using fluoridated water, the CDC estimates consumers save $15 -$20 per year on dental care. The CDC's My Water's Fluoride^[7] page helps consumers determine the level of fluoride in local drinking water.

• Oral health product manufacturers frequently offer online coupons for products. Crest^[8] and Colgate^[9] both offer pages with coupons for products.
• Regular fluoride treatments, even those not covered by insurance, are less expensive than waiting until a cavity forms and repairing it with a filling. Fillings can cost $50-$450 or more per tooth. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research offers tips for finding low-cost dental care^[10] .
• Some states have free fluoride treatment programs aimed at school-age children. For example, Mississippi provides a fluoride treatment program^[11] for students in areas with low fluoridation in the drinking water. With permission from parent, the students rinse their mouths with a fluoride-rich solution once a week at school.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains how fluoride helps prevent tooth decay^[12] . The CDC also provides a useful fact sheet^[13] answering questions about water fluoridation.
• The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry provides guidelines on fluoride therapy^[14] .
• The American Dental Association has a nationwide dental directory^[15] .
• The Academy of General Dentistry also provides a listing of dentists^[16] nationwide.
• Look for the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance on oral health products. Products with the seal have met the ADA's criteria for safety and effectiveness.

1.  brandywinesmilecenter.com/fluoride-therapy-for-adults-cost-saving-benefits-for-all-ages
2.  www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Products/FromTheDentist/GelKamStannousFluorideGel.cvsp
3.  jada.ada.org/content/138/3/420.full
4.  www.plaksmacker.com/foam-fluoride-trays.html
5.  www.amazon.com/Sultan-Topex-Hinged-Fluoride-Package/dp/B001BJTYQA/
6.  www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/fact_sheets/cost.htm
7.  apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp
8.  www.crestprohealth.com/crest-coupons/
9.  www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/Consumers/SpecialOffers.cvsp
10.  www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/popularpublications/findinglowcostdentalcare/
11.  msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/23,3775,266,291,html
12.  www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
13.  www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/fact_sheets/cwf_qa.htm
14.  www.aapd.org/media/policies_guidelines/g_fluoridetherapy.pdf
15.  www.mouthhealthy.org/en/find-a-dentist.aspx
16.  www.knowyourteeth.com/findadentist/

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