Fluoride Treatment: What You Should Know

Fluoride Treatment: What You Should Know

Mar 01, 2023

If you had an opportunity to protect your teeth from dental infections and the decay process, wouldn’t you want to take it? Fluoride treatment provides such benefits to oral health to children and adults alike.

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

It is a special treatment in preventive dentistry that strengthens teeth while fighting against bacteria and acids that cause dental cavities. At iSmile San Pablo, fluoride treatment is a popular preventive dental protocol, particularly for children’s dentistry. It can combat the dental decay process to prevent premature tooth loss. However, adults also benefit from routine fluoride treatments.

How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?

A fluoride treatment in San Pablo entails enriching teeth with fluoride, a natural mineral otherwise present in food. The mineral re-mineralizes teeth to heighten the absorption of nutrients and minerals helpful for sustaining strong teeth. Besides, fluoride heightens teeth’ resistance to bacteria and enamel-eroding acids that lead to oral problems like dental cavities, enamel thinning, and dentin hypersensitivity.

When you visit your dentist, (s)he first cleans your mouth to remove plaque and food residue from teeth’ surfaces. Afterward, the dentist will apply the fluoride varnish on your teeth, letting them sit for several minutes. Your dentist should rinse your mouth after about 30 minutes before letting you go home.

How Often Should You Get Fluoride for Your Teeth?

A San Pablo dentist will usually recommend getting retreatment every six months. It depends on the initial condition of your teeth. If your dentist determines that you need more fluoride, you will visit your dentist more frequently than the average person.

How Long Does Fluoride Treatment Last?

The varnish is not permanent. It can only protect your teeth for several months, which is why you need periodical retreatment. Still, the longevity of your treatment will depend on how well you care for your teeth after leaving the dentist’s office. Some essential tips to follow after leaving the dentist’s office that will help your treatment last long are:

  • Do not brush or floss your teeth for at least 6 hours after your treatment. It is best to brush your teeth after about 24 hours.
  • Avoid drinking hot fluids and eating hot foods during the first 6 hours after fluoride treatment. Afterward, you can eat normally, although avoiding foods that may scrape off the fluoride varnish from your teeth.
  • Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes soon after your fluoride treatment.
  • Keep your mouth clean – do not undervalue the role of proper hygiene in maintaining healthy teeth. Fluoride treatment is not good if you allow plaque to build up on teeth surfaces. Instead, use fluoride toothpaste to keep up with excellent oral hygiene at home.
  • Eat healthily – fluoride treatment does not make your teeth tamper-proof. If you keep eating unhealthily, you are still at a high risk of dental cavities and other oral infections. Instead, consider foods with fluoride, including tap water, meat, fish, eggs, and tea.
  • Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. They are detrimental to your oral and even general health.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatment

If you are wondering whether fluoride treatment near you is worth it, consider the following benefits:

  • Reversibility of cavities – fluoride treatments can reverse the development of cavities if you get it during the early stages of the infection.
  • Hard-to-reach areas are prone to dental cavities – people who do not floss their teeth are at a high risk of dental cavities between teeth. Fluoride treatment helps target these areas to protect your teeth all around.
  • Preventive dentistry with fluoride treatment eliminates the need for permanent tooth loss through dental extraction procedures.
  • Teeth whitening – although fluoride treatment does not directly whiten teeth, it can act as a whitener. The treatment will rid your teeth of bacteria and acids that corrode teeth and can lead to discoloration. Besides, the treatment promotes good oral hygiene, which helps maintain white teeth.

Is Fluoride Treatment Safe?

If dentists recommend fluoride treatment for children’s dentistry, it must be safe even for adults. Usually, dentists ensure to use small amounts of fluoride. Excessive fluoride intake may affect health, including dental fluorosis, which causes enamel discoloration. Therefore, ensure that you get fluoride treatment from an experienced dentist near you. Stick to the same dental professional for routine treatments to avoid overexposure.

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