Fluoride treatment is a crucial part of dental hygiene. It’s a simple procedure that involves applying high-concentration fluoride, a mineral that can prevent tooth decay and promote healthier teeth. It can also significantly impact oral health.
Fluoride treatments are readily available, and many dental clinics offer this service as part of their preventive dentistry practices.
To fully understand this important service, we’ll dive deep into fluoride treatment, provide insights on how to access this important service, and more below.
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in the earth’s crust, but it’s also present in some foods and water. In the context of dental health, fluoride plays a pivotal role, as it helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride works by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It’s incorporated into the tooth structure and helps to harden the tooth enamel.
Fluoride can also interfere with the growth of harmful oral bacteria.
In essence, it’s a shield that protects the teeth from decay and cavities.
Fluoride treatment offers numerous benefits for dental health. Some of its key benefits include:
Fluoride treatments are known for their enamel-strengthening properties, making it more resistant to decay.
This results in a significant reduction in the risk of developing cavities.
Preventive dental care, like fluoride treatments, can lead to significant cost savings. By preventing tooth decay and cavities, you can avoid expensive restorative treatments.
In the long run, the cost of fluoride treatments is much less than the cost of treating dental problems.
Fluoride treatments are beneficial for children and adults.
Fluoride helps children develop strong, healthy teeth. It’s particularly important for children between the ages of 6 months and 16.
Fluoride treatments can help adults manage conditions like dry mouth, gum disease, or frequent cavities.
While fluoride treatment is highly effective for cavity prevention, you should only use it as directed and with supervision from a dental professional. High doses of fluoride can be toxic, depending on the weight of the individual using fluoride treatment, so fluoride in children needs to be monitored regularly so it doesn’t develop into fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a potential side effect of consuming too much fluoride characterized by streaks or white spots that start appearing on the enamel. Fluorosis occurs from frequent exposure to multiple sources of fluoride, such as using over-the-counter fluoride treatments or from grape products, dried fruit, dried beans, cocoa powder, walnuts, and old tea leaves, which absorb fluoride from the soil and can have very high levels of the mineral.
While early fluorosis is primarily a cosmetic concern, you should not ignore its indications, especially in children. Though rare, excessive fluoride consumption in a short amount of time can be toxic and become very serious.
Contact your dentist or a health care professional immediately if you begin to notice signs of fluorosis or if you’re concerned you or your child has ingested too much fluoride.
Fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than the amount found in tap water, toothpaste, and mouth rinses. Your dentist or hygienist can apply fluoride through gels, foams, or varnishes in their dental office.
Several types of professional fluoride applications exist, including:
Each type of application has its own benefits and are available at your local Castle Dental office.
Fluoride treatments are safe and effective when used as directed and have been proven to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Plus, they can help save money in the long run by avoiding costly dental treatments.
Many health organizations endorse fluoride treatments. For example, the American Dental Association (ADA) endorses using fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
Nearly all public health, medical, and dental organizations endorse community water fluoridation, which is when the government places fluoride in the public water system.
Fluoride treatments are a proactive step in maintaining long-term oral health, but they can also be part of a comprehensive dental hygiene routine.
Dental hygiene practices include regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. This ensures you get a steady low dose of fluoride through brushing. Then, you can add fluoride treatments in the interval your Castle Dental dentist recommends — typically during your routine dental checkups or teeth cleanings.
Fluoride treatments are essential for maintaining oral health. They help prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.
Many dental clinics offer professional fluoride treatments, but you should stick with the best at Castle Dental. Our dentists and dental hygienists have all the specialized treatment and experience to handle your fluoride treatments and more.
Remember, fluoride treatment is just one aspect of dental hygiene. Regular checkups, a balanced diet, and good oral care habits are equally important.
Orthodontics may be provided by general dentists.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability.
