Metal Mouth Message Board

As I prepare for braces, I have been researching products to use to better help with my dental health during my journey. One thing I learned about is Elmex Gel. It's a gel with a high fluoride content that helps protect against cavities and sensitivities and you brush with it once a week. However, it seems to be more widely available in Europe (Germany) and I am looking for something more readily available in my area.

Also, are there any OTC High Fluoride Toothpaste brands? I know some of you all get prescriptions from your dentist or orthodontist but just in case are there are good ones I can pick up at my local pharmacy without a prescription? Thank you!

I got my braces last week. At 46 years old I am trying to change my bite. Along with all of the goodies I received a fluoride gel. This gel is .4%. It seems to be a lot stronger than the over-the-counter type ones you can receive. He told me to brush it on my teeth leaving it there for a minute after my last brushing of the night before bed. As an adult who has had cavities but none for over 15 years at least I am wondering if fluoride is necessary. I have good hygiene and brush my teeth after every meal and use a WaterPik floss. Would be great to find out more information from someone else as well

FlowerPower wrote:As I prepare for braces, I have been researching products to use to better help with my dental health during my journey. One thing I learned about is Elmex Gel. It's a gel with a high fluoride content that helps protect against cavities and sensitivities and you brush with it once a week. However, it seems to be more widely available in Europe (Germany) and I am looking for something more readily available in my area.

Also, are there any OTC High Fluoride Toothpaste brands? I know some of you all get prescriptions from your dentist or orthodontist but just in case are there are good ones I can pick up at my local pharmacy without a prescription? Thank you!

I'm in Canada and I use 3M ClinPro 5000, which I got OTC at my pharmacy. I've seen Colgate PreviDent 5000 Plus on the shelves, although a Google search says it's prescription only (perhaps in the USA). Both are 1.1% fluoride.

I see there are a few products when I search on Amazon.com for "fluoride treatment."

In the US, maximum by law is 1500 ppm for OTC. Any higher concentration requires a prescription.

FlowerPower wrote:As I prepare for braces, I have been researching products to use to better help with my dental health during my journey. One thing I learned about is Elmex Gel. It's a gel with a high fluoride content that helps protect against cavities and sensitivities and you brush with it once a week. However, it seems to be more widely available in Europe (Germany) and I am looking for something more readily available in my area.

Also, are there any OTC High Fluoride Toothpaste brands? I know some of you all get prescriptions from your dentist or orthodontist but just in case are there are good ones I can pick up at my local pharmacy without a prescription? Thank you!

caries doesn't just happen to you, unless you have some specific medical conditions. You need to learn how to clean your teeth, you could prevent caries with fluoride but that won't remove plaque and you could end up with periodontitis losing all your teeth, intact. Because if you don't clean them properly because the bone in your jaws will be devastated by bacteria