The Ways Fluoride Treatment Will Benefit Your Smile
Contact Us About Fluoride Treatments Today
- Prevent cavity formation
- Slow the growth of tooth decay
- Minimize your need for complex dental treatments in the future
- Help prevent gum disease
- Boost tooth health for life!
Introduced as a preventive public health measure in the 1940s, fluoride has proven to be the most effective cavity fighter available today.
Before we delve into the benefits of fluoride and its effects on your oral health, we need to discuss common misconceptions about this naturally occurring mineral.
Though some people believe that fluoride is not necessary for tooth health, it’s important to note that multiple studies show that water fluoridation effectively reduces tooth decay in children and adults alike while also strengthening tooth enamel.
So how does fluoride work and how can it help prevent cavities?
- It hardens enamel in infants’ teeth before they begin growing in.
- It hardens enamel in adult teeth that have already grown in.
How does fluoride toothpaste benefit your smile?
The foods and beverages you consume produce bacteria in your mouth, which have the ability to create an acid that strips away the calcium, enamel, and phosphate from your teeth. If you’re using fluoride toothpaste, your saliva will help remove some of these bacteria, and the calcium and phosphate included in this type of toothpaste will help strengthen your teeth.
What’s involved in a professional fluoride treatment?
Available in a highly concentrated gel, foam, rinse, or polish, your dentist will apply the most suitable fluoride treatment to your teeth with a tray, swab, brush, mouthwash, or dental tool. The liquid will be left on for a few minutes, and you may be asked not to drink or eat for 30 minutes following treatment to maximize absorption.
How do you know if your teeth need more fluoride?
Since most parts of North America have implemented community water fluoridation, brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily may offer your teeth the protection needed to prevent cavities. If you live in an area where your water has not been fluoridated, along with regular in-office fluoride treatments, we may recommend that you add daily fluoride tablets or drops to optimize your oral health.
Depending on your unique oral health needs, we may also recommend regular, in-office fluoride treatments to strengthen your oral health and prevent larger dental problems from occurring.
If you have questions about the benefits of fluoride and in-office treatments, call us today!