Hi All - i am intrigued by the "flouride foam" stuff - currently JC is using a flouride gel in his trays and each and every time he puts them in he gags as it is very thick, and it seems to get worse as time goes on. the doc said that he would only have to continue with the flouride trays for about 6 months post treatment, but i am noticing here that alot of people are still using them way beyond that - could the doc be "fibbing" to us? guess time will tell, eh? think i will call our dentist and see if we can get the foam as opposed to the gel on his next refill - thanx for the info.

Robin

I HATE my fluoride gel...it tastes like s___t, and I can't rinse the taste out of my mouth for half an hour after using it. But I still do use it 5 years out from treatment. Not every day like the docs at MDACC wanted, but at least 3 nights a week for 15 minutes at a time. The truth is that never again will you have the protective benefits of saliva, and all those good enzymes in it. You will also have some decalcification of the teeth, though not visible to the naked eye, that leaves them vulnerable to dental caries as well. Fluoride is the only defense against serious problems, along with a religious involvement with your toothbrush and floss, interdental wooden picks ( J&J) and anything else you can do to keep those pearly whites free from plaque and bacteria. I even get my teeth professionally cleaned every 8 weeks, and with all that I do, she still scrapes off bunches of... mung. For radiated patients the loss of a tooth to periodontal disease from poor hygiene could lead to an open non hgealing socket, or extraction which could lead to osteoradionecrosis, a very bad hombre.

The foam is a snap to use, tastes decent and doesn't make you gag (which I seem to do a lot of these days). It is prescription only so your dentist will either have to write a prescription or procure it for you (like my dentist did). It leaves no bad aftertaste either. It is called Butler "Protect" Nuetral Flouride Foam. The instructions for use state to leave on for 1-5 minutes. No rinse or drinking any liquids for 30 minutes after that. My radiation oncologist told me that the threat of ORN is for life. Extractions will be dangerous forever.

well i am definately going to check into the flouride foam for jc. they also gave him a very nasty mouthrinse called "chlorhexidine gluconate" which really messed with his taste buds before they went south. i later found out that the soda/salt/water solution works just as well - so he does the soda/salt/water combo during the day the nasty tasting stuff before his gel trays at night - which between the chlorhexidine and the gel trays he is not a very happy camper! (go figure huh) thanx for the info!!

Robin

I am eight months out of treatment and still cannot use the flouride trays due to the burning that makes my tounge sore for a couple of days after each use. I do have some saliva(thank God and Ethyol)and am able to eat some very spicy foods, but I try the flouride every couple of weeks to see if I can tolerate it or not without success. Has anyone else had this problem? I wonder if the Foam would help if it is the same flouride strength as the gel?

Weldon M.

The foam is a neutral pH so it might work for you.
Ask your dentist if this is what he uses - maybe you can sample it somehow before buying it. My dentist gifted me with mine (I was his 12th patient) so I have no idea how much it costs. By the way, you don't swallow the stuff and there is very little that seeps out from the trays.

Oh. and the foam is a presciption product - I can't imagine that it would be weaker than the gel which is OTC. I'll contact my dentist and ask him.

i have a call into the dentist to check on the foam to see if i can get it for JC - it sounds sooo much better than the gel he is currently getting - its worth a try. the gel he is using now is also prescription. guess i just have to wait for the dentist to call back......

well what do ya know, the phone just rang and it was the dentist - he is going to call in the prescription for the foam - said it was just as good as the gel, but needed to also check to see if it was available! pretty cool!!

Robin

Hi folks,

I do not want to make a big (as in paranoid) deal but floride is fairly toxic if ingested. My suggestion is that we be particularly careful about even small quantities being swallowed.

Many of the OTC products we have been talking about weren't intended to be used daily. I am worried that the prescription versions are stronger and therefore even more care should be excercised.


Also Stannous Floride is listed as a potential carcinogen, and the debate about the effects both good and bad about Floride in general, gives me cause to be extra super cautious.

I don't want this to turn into our own version of debate, but if you look around (and skip the radical sites) you will find some interesting information on floride, especially floridated water, out there.

Happy teeth!

I have an MSDS Material Data Safety Sheet and a product description -if any are interested, email me privately - I will scan and send it to you. It is not "stannous fouride" per se but described as "0.9% flouride ion from sodium flouride in a pH neutral base". The "indications for use" recommend 1-2 treatments a year or more often as recommended by the dentist. There are no known contraindications. Since it has a high concentration of flouride ion, gloves and safety glasses are recommended for clinicians. IF ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting, stupor and weakness. (I already have all of those already so I wouldn't know) lol