I just came back from the dentist. I had a cleaning, you know, polishing and scraping. I was waiting in a cubical for the hygenist, who was treating a patient in the next cubical stall. She was telling that client that she wanted to do a fluoride varnish on her, and that she should not use her prescription fluoride treatment until this weekend, today is Tuesday. The woman complained about how gooey and sticky the treatment felt, and the hygenist told her it would feel that way for between 4 to 6 hours, but that she could eat.

Well, low and behold, she gave me the same spiel. She wanted to do a fluoride varnish on my teeth. I had never heard of this before. When I told her that I was already using a prescription fluoride treatment, albeit irregularly, she started to explain to me how the consentrated fluoride treatment, which is the varnish, would "chrystallize" certain areas, providing protection for, and harden my teeth.

I told her that I had read that this crystallization process was dangerous and that the fluoride provided also chrystallizes and hardens glands. She told me that she had studied that effect in college, and that it probably wouldn't effect me. But, she said, that if I had doubts that I should research the subject myself, and she could apply it at my next appointment, after I had seen that she was correct. She advised me to use my prescription fluoride daily.

So, I did a search on fluoride varnish, but all I could find is main stream dentistry websites. I'm not young and my teeth aren't great. Does anybody have any information on this procedure and long term risks?

Personally I only use toothpaste with stannous fluoride in it. I stay away from all sodium fluoride products. As sodium fluoride is a poison. I would get into the history of it but it's long. My teeth are in perfect condition and I don't get them cleaned ever when I go to the dentist. I always decline when they offer. I eat a lot of candy as well. Just putting in my two cents.

Good reading but I am going to preach anyways here........The wife and myself both refuse the Fluoride treatment at our dentist and she gets really upset with us.
We insist on no Fluoride and she has to comply if she wants us for patients and more so income.
We bought a RO water system a couple of years ago so no chems in our water whatsoever here.
Our toothpaste is also Fluoride free here, but you cannot avoid it.
I mean buy a can of soup .....odds are it has it in it.....etc etc....
But we are happy with our decision to at least have some control over what is being put into our bodies here.
Regards, Iwinder

Well I just had extensive dental work done with a cleaning as well. I'm still alive.....so far.

BTW....this glass of tap water is just divine.

Fluoride Varnish? Yes no?

I have drank fluoride treated tap water most of my life. I have also been forced to "swish" fluoride in its pure form while in elementary school while in class. (my parents consented).

I went to the dentist and the dentist said I have very very strong enamel on my teeth with no cavities and I was an exception to most people he has seen. I thank the fluoride.

But I am gullible, easily brainwashed , overweight and unmotivated.

So pick what you want in life. Good teeth? Or Good life....