Why is polishing considered unnecessary before applying professionally applied fluorides?

Polishing is considered unnecessary before applying professionally applied fluorides because it does not improve fluoride uptake. The primary goal of fluoride treatment is to enhance the remineralization of enamel and inhibit the demineralization process. The fluoride ions need to be in direct contact with the tooth structure to be effective. Polishing primarily removes surface stains and plaque but does not significantly increase the ability of the tooth to absorb fluoride.

While polishing may enhance the appearance of teeth, research has shown that when fluoride is applied, the main influencing factors on its absorption are the time of contact and the concentration of fluoride itself rather than the state of the tooth's surface following polishing. Thus, removing the outer surface sheen through polishing does not provide additional benefits in fluoride efficacy, making the polishing process unnecessary in this context.