Fluoride treatments are essential to maintain strong, healthy teeth. At Peacehaven Family Dentistry, we use fluoride treatments to strengthen children’s teeth as they continue to develop. We also use fluoride treatments to reinforce adult teeth that may be losing their protective enamel due to a number of circumstances.
Fluoride is a substance that strengthens your tooth’s enamel. It helps prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugar. Fluoride also has the extra ability to bond to the tooth—more than calcium. Fluoride also reverses the onset of early tooth decay.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found both in many foods and water, as well as in toothpaste and oral rinses. Fluoride even occurs naturally in ocean water. In addition, fluoride supplements are available in both liquid and tablet form. Fluoride supplements can be prescribed by your Peacehaven dentist.
These foods naturally contain fluoride:
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Tea
Consuming food, water, and supplements help to fortify your teeth’s fluoride content from within. Minerals are lost from a tooth’s enamel every day, while more minerals are added to the enamel layer from the food and water that you consume. It’s important to ensure that you maintain the right balance of minerals in order to prevent tooth decay and preserve your healthy teeth.
How Is Fluoride Treatment Applied?
Fluoride can be applied during your normal dental visit as a gel, foam or paste treatment. These applications come in a much higher fluoride content than you can get over the counter. Fluoride treatments can be painted or brushed onto your teeth or used in a mouth guard that stays on your teeth for several minutes.
Do Adults Need Fluoride Treatment?
Usually fluoride treatments end at age 14, when insurance companies stop paying for topical fluoride treatments. However, fluoride treatments can help patients at any age.
People with certain conditions may have an increased risk of tooth decay and would benefit from a fluoride treatment:
- Dry mouth
- Tooth erosion
- Exposed dentin
- Head and neck radiation treatment
- Gum disease/periodontitis
- Frequent cavities
- Infrequent dental visits
- Poor brushing habits
- Poor diet habits
- Crowns/bridges
- Orthodontic braces
Before Your Fluoride Treatment
It’s essential to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist before receiving a fluoride treatment. When your teeth are cleaned and polished, they will be able to absorb the maximum amount of fluoride needed to strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy.
After Your Fluoride Treatment
Be sure not to eat, drink or smoke for at least 30 minutes following your professional fluoride treatment. This extends the fluoride’s contact with your teeth and allows for the maximum amount of fluoride exposure and absorption.
How You Can Use Fluoride at Home
At Peace Haven Family Dentistry, we recommend that everyone use fluoridated toothpaste. You should brush your teeth at least twice each day and preferably after every meal. In addition, we recommend that you use a fluoridated oral rinse at least once each day.
Call us Today! Find out how Fluoride Treatments can help your teeth stay healthy and strong!