Easy-to-Apply Fluoride Varnish with a Flavorful Pop

There’s very little predictability in a dental office, but one near-constant in a day’s work is patient sensitivity. It’s almost always part of the conversation that Alan Pressman, DMD, has with patients throughout the day at his practice in Spring Valley, NY. Fortunately, as a dentist always on the lookout for the latest and most innovative products and technology, Dr. Pressman has a few "go-to" tools when it comes to avoiding sensitivity in his patient care. At the top of the list: BISCO’s FluoroCal.

“I’ve been using FluoroCal for several years, and the thing that first caught my eye with this varnish was the fact that it includes tricalcium phosphate (TCP),” Dr. Pressman shared. “I have many older patients who can’t brush or floss as well as they used to, and who tend to have very acidic saliva, which can be caused by certain foods and medications. I try to get them to use a water or air flosser to help, but effective home care can be challenging for older patients. One of the materials in my toolbox that I know will help them is the TCP in FluoroCal.”

Targeted Calcium & Fluoride Release

FluoroCal, a 5% sodium fluoride varnish, delivers a targeted and sustained release of calcium and fluoride for over 24 hours.* Its inclusion of TCP is significant, as it has been shown to provide greater protection and acid resistance when combined with fluoride.¹ Once applied to dentin and enamel, FluoroCal penetrates and seals exposed dentin tubules and offers immediate sensitivity relief to hypersensitive teeth.

“Dental sensitivity happens for a few reasons,” Dr. Pressman noted. “Abstraction from clenching and grinding can be a cause, as well as caries. It’s also an issue for patients who are overzealous with their brushing."

Strengthening Enamel with Fluoride Uptake

Another unique benefit of FluoroCal is that it offers a high enamel fluoride uptake that can induce fluorapatite, which in turn helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent further sensitivity.² In fact, when tested, FluoroCal demonstrated statistically higher enamel fluoride uptake than leading varnishes.³

“I offer it to all my patients—young and old—because there is no fluoride in the water here in Rockland County, NY, so I encourage patients as much as I can to accept it as part of their treatment here in the office. I know from the research that it can be very helpful to patients of all ages,” Dr. Pressman explained.

Fast & Easy Brush Application

An esthetic, white varnish that blends with natural tooth color, FluoroCal is fast and easy to apply with a simple brush application. Sweetened with xylitol to encourage better patient compliance, FluoroCal comes in 3 patient-friendly flavors: Spearmint, Bubble Gum, and Green Apple.

With a patient population that spans both ends of the age spectrum, Dr. Pressman said he believes the flavors and taste of the fluoride varnish go a long way toward encouraging patients to accept the fluoride treatment.

Taste Matters!

BISCO’s addition of Bubble Gum and Green Apple flavors to the FluoroCal family last year has been a hit with patients.

“Flavor is very important to my patients," Dr. Pressman said. He noted that many of his older patients, especially those who tend to have GI issues with mint-flavored products, prefer the Bubble Gum and Green Apple flavors. On the flip side, some of his younger patients often choose the Spearmint flavor. Overall, he’s found that having a variety of flavor choices has increased treatment acceptance and satisfaction.

“In my experience, I’ve found that BISCO’s product line tends to keep ahead of everyone else quite well, and with FluoroCal, it’s nice to know that the calcium release can help my patients,” he added.

_{*As tested in deionized water}

_{1. Li X, Wang J, Joiner A, Chang J. The remineralisation of enamel: a review of the literature. J Dent. 2014;42 Suppl 1:S12-20.}

_{2. Petersson LG. The role of fluoride in the preventive management of dentin hypersensitivity and root caries. Clin Oral Investig. 2013;17 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S63-S71. doi:10.1007/s00784-012-0916-9.}

_{3. Data on file.}