
The fluoride treatment is definitely worth it. The in-office treatment after your cleaning applies a stronger than over the counter fluoride to coat your teeth right after they have been professionally cleaned and that gives you a very effective anti-cavity treatment.
Should I get a fluoride treatment after my cleaning?
Aug 01, 2021 · We’re Here for You. Scientists used to suggest that fluoride only helps to develop strong teeth in children, but new research suggests that fluoride treatments can effectively prevent cavities in tooth decay adults as well. If you are concerned about tooth decay or have questions about your need for fluoride treatments, ask us at your next appointment. To …
What is the best fluoride treatment for adults?
However, professional fluoride treatments are still the best way to go, as your teeth absorb the fluoride most efficiently after a strong, thorough cleaning. In the same way that a professional cleaning is more effective than your everyday teeth brushing session, a fluoride treatment works longer and more efficiently than anything you might use at home.
How often should I get in-office fluoride treatment?
Aug 23, 2015 · madison dentist fluoride treatment adults recommendationsYour dentist can apply fluoride to the teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. These treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpastes and mouth rinses. Varnishes are painted on the teeth, and this is what we recommend at First Choice Dental.
Should I take advantage of the in office professional fluoride treatment?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a professional fluoride treatment at your dentist’s office every 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your oral health. If you’re at high risk for...

Is fluoride good for teeth?
New research shows that topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth. Certain Conditions Put Adults at Risk for Fluoride Loss.
Can kids have fluoride?
But we now know that adults can also benefit from added fluoride. Fluoride disrupts acid production in the already erupted teeth of adults, as well as children.
How to get fluoride?
You can get fluoride two ways: topically from toothpaste and treatments at the dentist. systemically in water and dietary supplements. According to the ADA, it’s best to get fluoride both topically and systemically. So, you still need to use fluoride toothpaste, even if your local water is boosted by added fluoride.
What is the purpose of fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that prevents cavities. It restores minerals to tooth enamel and prevents harmful bacteria from building up in the mouth. Overdosing on fluoride can cause negative complications.
Why is fluoride important for teeth?
Tooth enamel is the outer protective layer of each tooth. Fluoride is especially helpful if you’re at high risk of developing dental caries, or cavities.
What is the best source of fluoride?
dry mouth, or decreased saliva. weak enamel. Common sources of dietary fluoride include: tea. water. food cooked in water. fish eaten with their bones. infant formula. Optimal fluoride intake comes from food, water, and supplements.
How old should a child be to brush their teeth?
If your child is under 3 years old, they should only brush their teeth with close supervision. Apply only a thin layer of fluoride toothpaste to their toothbrush. The toothpaste should cover less than half of the bristles or be no bigger than a grain of rice.
Is fluoride in toothpaste?
Before fluoride was added to toothpaste, studies found that people with fluoridated water were 40 to 60 percent less likely to get cavities. The ADA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trusted Source. recommend trace amounts of fluoride be present in drinking water.
Is fluoride good for children?
Fluoride benefits both children and adults. The earlier children are exposed to fluoride, the less likely they are to develop cavities. A large study found that children and adolescents who received fluoride treatments for one year were 43 percent. less likely to have tooth decay and cavities.
How often should I use fluoride?
Fluoride is very useful and if you have it every 6 months to a year, that's good. You should also practise good oral hygiene. Sophia Bednarski Dentist St. Louis, Missouri. If you have many restorations in your mouth or any decalcified enamel in your teeth or dry mouth syndrome, the fluoride treatment is all worth it.
Is fluoride treatment worth it?
The fluoride treatment is definitely worth it . The in-office treatment after your cleaning applies a stronger than over the counter fluoride to coat your teeth right after they have been professionally cleaned and that gives you a very effective anti-cavity treatment.
Can dry mouth cause cavities?
People with dry mouths tend to develop more cavities, especially along the gumline. BTW, there are more than 1600 different medications that will cause a dry mouth. Best thing to do is to discuss this with your dentist. Dr. Michael I. Rouff Dental Therapist Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Does Act have fluoride?
Using a home rinse such as ACT will give you a little benefit of fluoride but ACT is basically a surfactant, ( a soap to reduce the surface tension) allowing you to clean the plaque off easier. It does have some fluoride in it. Office fluoride treatments are stronger.
Does fluoride help with tooth decay?
The fluoride increases the strength of the tooth to resist decay. It will help to protect your teeth and the dental work you have invested in. It will also help to decrease tooth sensitivity. Dr. Marc N. Benhuri Dentist New York, New York. Yes, both for children and older adults.
Does fluoride help with caries?
Fluoride accumulates in the teeth and has a sustained benefit of fighting dental caries. We also recommend Fluoride for patients with non lingering hypersensitivity to hot and cold. We also recommend Fluoride for patients who are on the process of bleaching their teeth. Kenneth Hamin Dentist Winnipeg, Manitoba.
How old do you have to be to get fluoride treatment?
After all, most insurance plans cover fluoride treatments only up to the age of 18.
What is gum recession?
Adults often experience gum recession, which exposes part of the root surface of teeth. These areas are softer than the hard enamel at the top of the tooth, which makes them more susceptible to decay. In addition, adults often get restorative work such as crowns or bridges.
Does fluoride help with sensitive teeth?
Fluoride can also help with the growing problem of sensitive teeth. Diets high in acidic foods and beverages, general gum recession, and increased use of whitening products all tend to produce sensitive teeth. Fluoride treatments re-mineralize tooth enamel and reduce that sensitivity.
Does radiation affect saliva?
Patients who undergo radiation treatment for cancer also benefit from topical fluoride applications. Radiation damages saliva glands, thus greatly reducing the flow of saliva. Saliva acts as a buffer against the foods we eat and beverages we drink. Once again, less saliva greatly increases the risk of cavities.
Can fluoride be used for braces?
Today many people opt for orthodontic treatment (braces) as adults. Braces make it more challenging for patients to maintain good oral hygiene. Just ask your kids! Fluoride can keep the teeth strong and cavity-free even with the obstacle of orthodontic appliances.
What are the benefits of fluoride treatment?
In addition, people with certain conditions may be at increased risk of tooth decay and would therefore benefit from additional fluoride treatment. They include people with: 1 Dry mouth conditions: Also called xerostomia, dry mouth caused by diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, certain medications (such as allergy medications, antihistamines, anti anxiety drugs, and high blood pressure drugs ), and head and neck radiation treatment makes someone more prone to tooth decay. The lack of saliva makes it harder for food particles to be washed away and acids to be neutralized. 2 Gum disease: Gum disease, also called periodontitis, can expose more of your tooth and tooth roots to bacteria increasing the chance of tooth decay. Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontitis. 3 History of frequent cavities: If you have one cavity every year or every other year, you might benefit from additional fluoride. 4 Presence of crowns and/or bridges or braces: These treatments can put teeth at risk for decay at the point where the crown meets the underlying tooth structure or around the brackets of orthodontic appliances.
How much fluoride is removed from water?
Reverse osmosis systems remove between 65% and 95% of the fluoride. On the other hand, water softeners and charcoal/carbon filters generally do not remove fluoride. One exception: some activated carbon filters contain activated alumina that may remove over 80% of the fluoride.
What is the cause of tooth decay?
The lack of saliva makes it harder for food particles to be washed away and acids to be neutralized. Gum disease: Gum disease, also called periodontitis, can expose more of your tooth and tooth roots to bacteria increasing the chance of tooth decay. Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontitis.
How does fluoride affect teeth?
In children under 6 years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.
Where can I find fluoride?
As mentioned, fluoride is found in foods and in water. It can also be directly applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter; stronger concentrations require a doctor's prescription.
Does fluoride help with tooth decay?
Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay.
Is fluoride good for teeth?
This is the timeframe during which the primary and permanent teeth come in. However, adults benefit from fluoride, too. New research indicates that topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth.

Dental Health with Fluoride
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Summary
- Good dental hygiene includes fluoride in your toothpaste and/or drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. If necessary, your dentist may recommend additional dental fluoride treatments. These treatments are a quick and easy way to help ward off tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your teeth healthy, it's important to brush your teeth twice a day...
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