Fluoride treatment has been an important part of oral health care for decades. Fluoride is an easy and pain-free way for both children and adults to help prevent cavities, and in some cases, help reverse early decay.
Our teeth are in a constant process of demineralization (loss of minerals) or remineralization (gaining minerals), and when these processes do not balance each other out, the demineralization can result in an increased risk of cavities (tooth decay).
Fluoride treatments help speed up the remineralization process for optimal enamel health and lower the risk of cavities.
About Fluoride Treatment
The fluoride used in a dentist's office is much stronger than the fluoride in toothpaste or mouthwash you buy from the store or pharmacy. Typically, the fluoride treatment from your dentist is applied with a cotton swab or brush, or it is used as a rinse and held in the mouth for several minutes.
Depending on your oral health status and dental plan developed by you and your dentist, fluoride treatment may be recommended every three, six or twelve months. This treatment lowers your risk of cavities, and for decay that is caught early enough, fluoride treatment may be all you need.
After treatment, do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to be absorbed by the teeth.
Fluoride Helps With More Than Just Cavities
Fluoride treatment is also used to treat tooth sensitivity to strengthen the tooth enamel and decrease sensitivity to hot and cold drinks, sweet foods, or brushing and flossing.
Tooth sensitivity is very common. If this is something that affects you, ask your dentist or hygienist about toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth in addition to fluoride treatment.
Fluoride treatment can be applied at any dental appointment. Ask your dentist which fluoride plan is right for you!
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This blog is designed to provide general information and discussions about health and dental-related subjects. No doctor/dentist to patient relationship is established by your use of this blog or website. We are not providing any treatment or diagnosis on this blog, and it is not intended to offer specific dental or medical advice to anyone. The information or other content provided in this blog is not a substitute for professional dental expertise or treatment. We will do our best to provide you with information that will help you make your own healthcare decisions, however no guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this blog. If you have questions about any of the information presented on this blog, you should consult with your dentist. The dentists at Advantage Dental+ are licensed to practice in the states of Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas and Washington and this blog is not intended to solicit patients from other states. External links may be provided on this blog as a service and convenience to our patients and other visitors to our blog. These external sites are created and maintained by other public and private organizations, and we do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance or timeliness of any outside information.
