A family dentist might recommend fluoride treatments for patients with decayed or sensitive teeth. These treatments can reverse the demineralization stage of gum disease and strengthen enamel, protecting teeth from decay for up to six months. Fluoride treatments are often performed after teeth cleanings to protect patients until their next routine appointment.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in teeth. It makes up teeth enamel, the strongest part of the body. Fluoride helps keep enamel strong, which protects teeth from decay. It also helps reduce the buildup of bacteria on teeth surfaces and gums.
Fluoride is added to public water systems in most developed countries to protect the population against tooth decay. According to American Dental Association, the practice has been effective at combating tooth decay.
Fluoride treatments are non-invasive procedures that can be completed in a few minutes. The fluoride product used might be a gel or foam that is poured on a mouth tray, or the family dentist might paint a varnish-like product on the patient’s teeth. Patients might also be given a concentrated mouthwash that they swish around their mouths for a minute. The most commonly used method is adding the product to a mouth tray and having the patient bite down on it for a few minutes.
How often a patient needs fluoride treatments is based on factors like their overall dental health. Patients who have a high risk of developing cavities might need to get these treatments every three months. People who are not as vulnerable to decay might only have to get the treatment every six to 12 months. The benefits of fluoride treatments include:
While fluoride treatments provide a handful of benefits, there are a few drawbacks, primarily associated with overexposure. These include bone structures in the mouth becoming weak, white specs forming on teeth, and pits forming on teeth.
Fluoride treatments are not the only way to give teeth the fluoride that they need to be strong and healthy. Most kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride, and the same goes for mouth rinses. Family dentists recommend using oral hygiene products that contain fluoride to protect teeth from decay between routine appointments. Products that contain fluoride should not be swallowed, however, since that can lead to excess fluoride in the system.
Fluoride is an essential mineral that your teeth need to be healthy. It helps reverse the early stages of tooth decay, and it can prevent cavities from expanding. Give us a call or stop by our Port Charlotte clinic to learn more about how fluoride treatments protect your dental health.
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