Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride Treatment for Your Dental Health
Do you even wonder why your dentist would apply fluoride treatment after your dental cleaning? It may be it’s actually a beneficial treatment for those who are prone to tooth decay.
Fluoride is a mineral which is naturally present in some foods and water. Your tooth enamel contains fluoride which helps strengthen and protect your tooth. With time this mineral gets lost from the enamel through a process known as demineralization. We do our part by applying fluoride to our teeth routinely at home with toothpaste. Additional prescription strength fluoride applications at your dental office can be beneficial in protecting against tooth decay.
As the term suggests, demineralization occurs when minerals are leached from the tooth’s layer because of acid. This acid is the result of interaction between plaque bacteria in your mouth and the sugars that you eat.
Fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are some of the minerals that are deposited into the tooth enamel. When there’s too much demineralization, it could lead to tooth decay because there are not enough minerals returning to repair the damaged enamel.
Fluoride treatment can prevent tooth decay as it promotes remineralization. It can help in making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks. In some instances it may help in reversing early signs of decay.
In kids with erupted teeth, fluoride treatment could speed up remineralization as it disrupts any acid production.
In this treatment, your dentist will apply the fluoride onto your teeth. You may also use mouth rinses and fluoridated toothpaste. If your dentist believes that you may benefit from a stronger concentration of fluoride, your dentist may prescribe it for you.
The fluoride treatment at your dentist’s office contains a prescription strength fluoride concentration that is different from than the mineral found in mouth rinses and toothpaste.
Fluoride varnish is form of prescription strength fluoride that is painted on your teeth. Some patients may choose to use fluoride foams or rinses.
Regardless of the type of fluoride treatment you choose, it’s an ideal way for you to avoid or reverse tooth decay.
Who can benefit from fluoride treatment?
Although fluoride treatment is mostly recommended to younger patients, everyone could benefit from its regular use.
If you have dry mouth condition, your dentist may recommend regular application of fluoride because your condition would make you more prone to tooth decay. The reason for this is that the lack of saliva would make it difficult for food particles to be washed away. The lack of saliva also makes it harder for acids to be neutralized.
Your dentist may also recommend fluoride treatment if you’re suffering from gum disease. Gum disease can expose your tooth and tooth roots to bacteria. As a result, it increases your chances of suffering from tooth decay.
If you develop dental decay on at least one tooth every year you may benefit from fluoride treatment. The presence of crowns or bridges in your mouth could also put your teeth at a higher risk of decay. In instances as such, the application of fluoride treatment is advised on a regular basis.
Although fluoride is safe for everyone, it is important that you consult your dentist on whether or not you could benefit from additional fluoride. Keep in mind that excessive fluoride in your teeth could result in unwanted affects.
Contact your dentist at Aloha Dental today for a consultation about fluoride treatment