Fluoride is an all-around defense for your teeth, gums, and whole mouth. This is why many towns add the mineral to drinking water as a matter of public health. Dentists also use fluoride treatments to protect their patients’ teeth from tooth decay.
Read on for a brief walkthrough of how fluoride protects the teeth at a chemical level. The article also goes over how dentists can use fluoride treatment during routine dental visits.
Fluoride forms a protective film that covers tooth enamel. This film keeps the enamel healthy in the following ways:
These are a few ways that fluoride prevents cavities and tooth decay. Dentists will advise their patients to take in small amounts of fluoride through their water. People who live in areas with low fluoride levels in water should seek out food sources or supplements that contain the mineral.
This is doubly important for children whose permanent teeth have yet to erupt. They need enough fluoride to ensure that their permanent teeth emerge healthy and strong. These are a few of the reasons that fluoride remains a fixture in preventative dentistry. Here is how a dentist uses fluoride to benefit their patients.
Checkups enable dentists to keep tabs on their patients' oral health. For children, routine dental checks involve charting the growth and development of the entire oral cavity. These exams can detect dental issues in their earliest stages. Catching an oral health problem before it worsens means the dentist may only perform corrective treatments that are minor and non-intrusive.
The second stage of a routine dental visit is professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque buildup. This procedure removes the staging grounds that bacteria use to infect the teeth and gums.
Dentists complete a teeth cleaning by applying a coat of fluoride on all the teeth and sometimes, dental sealant on the molars. These two treatments form a protective barrier that lasts long after the patient leaves the dentist’s office.
It is worth mentioning that the fluoride treatment does not eliminate the need for fluoride toothpaste. Patients with a history of dental issues may also be recommended to use a fluoride rinse every once in a while.
Here are the answers to frequently asked inquiries about fluoride and the battle against tooth decay.
Fluoride is a mineral found in many places, including the teeth. It is also added to many public water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. When fluoride is combined with the minerals in the teeth, it becomes harder for acids to attack and damage teeth enamel. Fluoride can even help reverse the demineralization stage of tooth decay.
Fluoride makes teeth more impervious to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. It also promotes remineralization, which helps repair early signs of tooth decay.
Yes, fluoride is safe when used as directed. In fact, it is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.
The amount of fluoride that a patient needs depends on their age and whether they have a history of tooth decay. Children up to age three should use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing, while grown-ups should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice daily. If a patient is not sure if they are getting enough fluoride, they should talk to their dentist or healthcare provider.
The most common side effect of using too much fluoride is dental fluorosis. This condition causes white spots or streaks to form on the teeth. Dental fluorosis is generally only a cosmetic issue and does not affect the tooth's health. In rare cases, excessive fluoride intake can lead to bone problems.
Get in touch to schedule a routine dental checkup with our dentist. The checkup will cover an extensive dental exam, professional teeth cleaning, and fluoride treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://woodlandparkdental.com or call Woodland Park Dental at (801) 416-1603 for an appointment in our Layton office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dental Care in Layton, UT.
Preventive dentistry is important in maintaining oral health. Visits in this field of dentistry involve treatment and dental education. These appointments aim to prevent gum disease, cavities, and enamel wear. They result in an attractive smile and healthy teeth. If you want to know more about vital preventive dentistry visits, here are the details.Preventing the…
A general dentist shared some ways to help prevent bad breath. This is a topic no one wants to discuss. Bad breath happens to everyone at one point or another. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid having bad breath. We should openly talk about this taboo topic. The more we talk about it, the…
Regular visits to a general dentist are an essential component of good health and overall wellness. It is important for both adults and children to have their teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional every six months. In fact, most physicians and dentists recommend that regular dental checkups begin around age one, when a…
Made of durable, tooth-colored ceramic, CEREC® crowns have become popular in recent years. These restorations are sometimes used to strengthen a broken tooth. One appeal of these crowns is that they can be made in one visit.CEREC® crowns are natural-looking restorations, so dentists use them for front as well as back teeth. Because they are…