Fluoride treatments are a method of cleaning teeth that your general dentist can provide. It is a naturally occurring mineral found in water and food that can go a long way toward protecting your teeth. It is vital to keep the tooth enamel healthy and fight off bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums and has been an essential oral health treatment for decades.
Fluoride is beneficial if you are at a high risk of developing cavities. Cavities, also known as dental caries, are caused by acid-producing bacteria that accumulate around the teeth and gums in the form of a sticky, clear film known as plaque. Plaque is more likely to develop if you have poor oral hygiene and do not visit the dentist often enough. If the plaque breaks down the tooth enamel, bacteria can infect the nerves and blood that make up the pulp, or core, of the tooth.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most commonly asked questions about this treatment and how it impacts oral health.
Yes. Experts believed that the primary function of fluoride was to strengthen the teeth while they are in the developing stages – thus making its use most effective in children – but new research has found that people of all ages can benefit from the use of fluoride. Topical fluoride is found in mouthwash, toothpaste, and fluoride treatments. In short, adults should also get these treatments to help protect their teeth.
You may be surprised at just how simple it is to get treatment at your dentist's office. A general dentist can provide fluoride treatments in a rinse, foam, gel, or varnish that is highly concentrated. The treatment is applied using a swab, tray, mouthwash, or brush. Professional fluoride treatments contain much more fluoride than what is found in water or over-the-counter toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride treatments only take a few minutes to apply. Your general dentist may recommend that you wait to eat or drink anything until at least half an hour after the fluoride treatment so the fluoride can be fully absorbed. It is also essential to discuss your full medical and dental history with your dentist so that they can give you the right type of fluoride treatment.
Flouride can certainly help treat and present a variety of dental issues. People with certain conditions or dental appliances may be especially vulnerable to tooth decay. If you have a dry mouth or xerostomia, you are more likely to have tooth decay due to insufficient saliva. Saliva is essential in washing away food particles and neutralizing acids.
Suppose you have a history of frequent cavities (i.e., you get a new cavity or multiple cavities each year or every other year). In that case, fluoride application will help treat existing cavities and prevent new cavities from forming.
If you have dental crowns, bridges, or braces, you are more susceptible to tooth decay, especially in areas where your crown meets the underlying tooth structure or around the brackets of your braces.
If you have gum disease, your tooth roots are exposed to bacteria, increasing your risk of tooth decay. Fluoride application treatments reduce the risk of tooth decay.
A simple treatment can help prevent the mentioned conditions and keep your teeth healthy and strong for longer.
The short answer is no, fluoride toothpaste is simply not enough when it comes to protecting your teeth. Experts agree that additional fluoride treatments are beneficial in ensuring that the teeth are properly protected. However, you should seek out toothpaste that has this mineral in it.
While fluoride is effective, fluoride alone won't prevent all cavities from forming. Even with treatments, it's still important to follow good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash. All of these things together are what help prevent cavities.
Fluoride is naturally found in water and food. Still, it can also be added to toothpaste and mouthwash or applied by a general dentist in a concentrated rinse, foam, gel, or varnish applied with a swab, tray, mouthwash, or brush. Speak with your dentist to learn more about your options and how fluoride can b used to protect your smile.
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