Is Fluoride Treatment Necessary?

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in freshwater, soil, salt and several foods.  This mineral is important in dental health as it makes teeth resistant to dental cavities and decay. In addition, it helps reduce enamel wear due to acids found in the mouth due to the foods we eat.

Where decay has already taken place, fluoride re-mineralizes the tooth enamel and reverses the decay. Thus, a fluoride treatment in Welland, ON, is a successful preventive health measure for both children and adults.

When children receive fluoride treatments, they are better protected from decay and develop strong teeth that do not pose dental problems even in adulthood.  Adults experience less tooth decay when they receive regular fluoride treatments.

It may be ingested through food and water to become part of your tooth structure as the teeth form or applied topically by a fluoride dentist. However, the fluoride found in toothpaste, water, and foods may not be adequate in strengthening your teeth. That’s where fluoride treatments by a qualified dentist come in.

These treatments ensure that your teeth receive more fortification against cavities, gum disease and other oral health issues.

When is a Fluoride Treatment Necessary?

Although we all require fluoride each day for strong, healthy teeth, there are situations when individuals require extra fluoride protection.

1. When you experience teeth sensitivity, it indicates that acids in the mouth have thinned down your tooth enamel. Therefore, fluoride treatments are required to re-mineralize the enamel and reduce sensitivity.
2. Some prescription medications reduce saliva production in the mouth and cause the individual to have a dry mouth. A dry mouth increases the risk of cavities as the acid in the mouth is not reduced. Cancer-related radiation treatment also causes dry mouth conditions. Such patients require extra fluoride to keep their teeth strong.
3. Children between six months to 16 years also require extra fluoride as their teeth are more prone to cavities. Although at this age, both the primary and permanent teeth are coming in, the child may be unable to brush properly, consuming several sugary items.
4. As you receive restorative dental treatments, some extra fluoride on your teeth protects the margins of your teeth from having plaque build-up.
5. When you have orthodontic appliances such as non-removable braces, maintaining good oral hygiene is not easy. Fluoride treatments help keep your teeth free of cavities where you cannot clean the teeth due to the appliances.
6. Patients who suffer from gum disease or have a history of frequent cavities require fluoride treatments.

Professional Fluoride Treatment

Once you have scheduled an appointment with your dentist for a fluoride treatment, here is what you can expect. Your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and examined for cavities. The fluoride treatment, which may be in a gel, varnish, a highly concentrated rinse or foam, is applied to the teeth.

A swab, dental tray, brush or mouthwash may be used to apply the fluoride. You may be asked to avoid consuming anything for 30 minutes after the treatment to absorb the fluoride into the teeth fully. The dentist may prescribe fluoride supplements which you can continue taking at home if you require extra fluoride.

Benefits Of Fluoride Treatment

1. It is an easy and effective method of improving oral health for both children and adults.
2. When acidic bacteria have eroded the enamel, a fluoride treatment helps restore minerals to the tooth surface. As a result, your teeth will not be vulnerable to decay anymore.
3. Fluoride fortifies the enamel making it able to fight off tooth decay, cavities, and possible teeth loss.
4. The growth of harmful oral bacteria that cause cavities is inhibited through fluoride treatments.
5. This treatment improves bone density. This ensures that your jaw bone is strong and healthy, and able to develop properly.
6. Fluoride treatment prevents decay from penetrating the inner parts of the teeth by strengthening the surfaces of the teeth.

Although highly beneficial, exposure to more fluoride than the recommended amount causes dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. These two conditions occur when you ingest too much fluoride, especially in tap water. Therefore, the fluoride levels in fluoride varnish applied by the dentist are monitored so that such and other conditions do not occur.

Schedule an appointment at Rose City Dental Centre for fluoride treatments that will ensure your teeth remain strong and cavity-free.