Side Effects of ACT Total Care

Fluoride is important to the proper development and management of dental health. The use of fluoride rinses, such as ACT Total Care, can strengthen dental enamel and prevent tooth decay. Certain common sense precautions should be exercised when using ACT Total Care, though, to prevent injury or other side effects from occurring.

Precautions

• Before using a fluoride rinse it is important to tell your dentist if you are pregnant, have a salt restricted diet or drink water with high levels of fluoride (more than 0.7 parts per million). These conditions may require you to have tests or reduce your use of ACT Total Care to prevent side effects. Children should also be carefully monitored when using ACT Total Care or any fluoride rinse to ensure they are using it properly.

Proper Use

• Proper use of ACT Total Care will prevent most side effects. It is important to not swallow the fluoride rinse or eat or drink for 30 minutes after use. Swallowing fluoride rinse can cause a certain level of gastric distress, and eating or drinking too soon after use will rinse it from the tooth surface before it can work on strengthening the dental enamel, rendering it useless.

Allergic Reactions

• Some individuals suffer allergic reactions to ACT Total Care. An allergic reaction is often signaled by flushing, swelling of the tongue, face or throat, difficulty breathing, or a breakout of hives anywhere on the body. Stop using ACT Total Care at any sign of an allergic reaction and visit an emergency room immediately, as allergic reactions can be life threatening.

Other Reactions

• Some individuals may experience nausea or vomiting after using a flouride rinse such as ACT Total Care, particularly if the rinse has been ingested. These symptoms are generally not considered serious although care should be taken to prevent them in future. Over-exposure to fluoride can also cause fluorosis, or staining of the teeth, particularly in children. Caution should be taken that children in particular use the rinse properly and are not overexposed to flouride through sources such as drinking water, foods such as tea, spinach or supplements, and fluoride rinses such as ACT Total Care.