As a result, there are specific post-care guides to follow after a fluoride
Fluoride
Fluoride is an inorganic, monatomic anion with the chemical formula F⁻, whose salts are typically white or colorless. Fluoride salts typically have distinctive bitter tastes, and are odorless. Its salts and minerals are important chemical reagents and industrial chemicals, mainly used in the producti…
Full Answer
Does Flouride really help?
When fluorine, which is negatively charged, meets a positively-charged ion like sodium, cavity fighters are born. When these fluoride compounds are in your mouth, they can actually make your teeth stronger and prevent cavities. They can even reverse early tooth decay. Fluoride to the Rescue Fluoride: The Superhero of Cavity Fighting
Why are fluoride treatments worth it?
A person at risk of tooth decay may benefit from fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatments are typically professional treatments containing a high concentration of fluoride that a dentist or hygienist will apply to a person’s teeth to improve health and reduce the risk of cavities.
What does Flouride do for your teeth?
Too much fluoride can cause:
- white specks on mature teeth
- staining and pitting on teeth
- problems with bone homeostasis
- very dense bones that aren’t very strong
How long to wait after fluoride treatment?
How Long Do You Have To Wait After Fluoride? It is generally recommended that patients wait 30 minutes after receiving a fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. In this 30-minute period, the fluoride treatment will be able to seal the teeth. If you have been treated with fluoride, you may want to consider what you eat afterward.
What do I do after a fluoride treatment?
You should avoid eating food for at least 6 hours after a fluoride treatment. If you must, then eat soft foods – greek yoghurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, ice cream, mashed bananas, and blended soups. Soft foods won't reduce the effectiveness of the fluoride treatment, unlike hard food.
When do you stop getting fluoride at the dentist?
A highly concentrated form of fluoride is applied to your teeth and left to sit for a few minutes. Afterwards, your dentist will usually request that you do not eat or drink for 30 minutes to an hour after the treatment. Generally, these treatments end around age 14, but some people continue to get them into adulthood.
Is fluoride treatment worth it for adults?
Not only can fluoride strengthen teeth to prevent future decay, it can also help to arrest early decay, thus preventing the need to fill a tooth. Adults can benefit from fluoride because as we age, our teeth weaken as well making them more susceptible to decay.
How long after fluoride treatment can I drink?
In general, patients are advised to wait 30 minutes after a fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This 30-minutes allows time for the fluoride treatment to seal to the teeth.
How often should adults get fluoride treatment?
Fluoride treatments are important for adults as well. They are an effective way to prevent cavities and other oral health issues, especially as teeth naturally weaken over time. Adults should receive 2–4 fluoride treatments per year, depending on their overall oral health.
Does fluoride varnish help adults?
The fluoride varnish dentists use is nothing more than a clear coat of fluoride applied topically to your teeth. It makes the enamel stronger while helping reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity and tooth decay. The fluoride varnishes are usually applied to your teeth while you are at your regular dental checkups.
Does fluoride treatment make your teeth whiter?
Fluoride is a safe, effective way to protect your teeth from advancing tooth decay, cavities, and acts as a whitener.
What are the cons of fluoride?
The cons of fluoride Certain studies have shown that fluoride may contribute to weakening the bones and maybe even the joint's connective tissues. Fluoride also causes a condition known as fluorosis, which causes tooth discoloration.
How does fluoride strengthen teeth?
Fluoride helps control and protect against the damage caused by the demineralization process, keeping teeth resilient to its negative effects. Other times, when your saliva is less acidic, fluoride helps by replenishing the calcium and phosphate ions that make your teeth harder and more protected.
What should I eat after fluoride?
It is recommended that the patient be instructed to only eat soft foods and drink cold liquids for 2 hours after treatment. After 6 hours, the patient may consume hot drinks or alcohol (mouth rinses) and may brush or floss.
Can I drink coffee after fluoride?
The fluoride treatment will require time to settle into your teeth and provide the protection they require. A general rule of thumb is to wait for at least 30 to 60 minutes after your teeth cleaning to consume any food or drinks, but you should avoid drinking coffee for a few hours.
How long after fluoride can I smoke?
During fluoride treatment aftercare the patient who received the treatment must not eat, drink, or smoke for about 30 minutes to 1 hour after the fluoride treatment. Patients may experience nausea if they mistakenly swallow any of the fluorides. However, the nausea is temporary and should go away within 24 hours.
How Does Fluoride Help?
Our teeth go through two processes daily; demineralization and re-mineralization. Demineralization is the loss of minerals—calcium and phosphate th...
When Is supplemental Fluoride Treatment Recommended?
While fluoride treatment is recommended at your routine check-up and cleaning, if you are at a higher risk of cavities, a dentist near you can also...
How Can Fluoride Treatment Benefit You?
Fluoride treatment can benefit adults in various ways, such as preventing cavities. However, the primary benefit of getting the treatment is that i...
How is Fluoride Treatment Done?
Fluoride treatment takes a few minutes, and it is pain-free. The dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant will apply fluoride varnish on the teeth a...
What Happens If You Overdose on Fluoride?
Fluoride overdose is rare, but it can occur in children or older adults. Fluorosis can cause discoloration and the formation of white patches on th...
Why Should I Get Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatment is a way to protect your teeth from the threat of tooth decay. Tooth decay happens as bacteria and enzymes dissolve away the protective enamel of your teeth. Once the bacteria move beyond the enamel, they can get into the tooth and cause decay. Daily oral care tasks like brushing and flossing can help prevent decay.
Who Can Benefit from Fluoride Treatment?
Children can receive their first fluoride treatment as soon as their first tooth erupts. Routine fluoride treatments can continue to be beneficial through childhood and adulthood. In the United States, tap water and some bottled water are treated with fluoride. This provides a small amount of fluoride as people go through day-to-day life.
What Is the Process of Fluoride Treatment?
There are several options for professional fluoride treatment. Professional fluoride applications include mouth rinse, gels, foam, pastes, and varnish. Your dentist will provide the type of fluoride treatment that is most appropriate for your needs.
How Long After Fluoride Treatment Can I Eat?
It is important to understand the rules related to eating after fluoride treatment. Once you finish with your routine dental appointment and fluoride treatment, you may ask, ‘How long after fluoride treatment can I eat?’ The general recommendation for eating after fluoride treatment is related to timing and not necessarily what you eat.
How Long Should I Wait to Drink After Fluoride Treatment?
Drinking lukewarm water is acceptable at the 30-minute mark after fluoride treatment. Many people ask, ‘How long after fluoride can I drink coffee?’ Hot liquids require a longer wait time after fluoride treatment.
When Can I Brush My Teeth After Fluoride Treatment?
When brushing your teeth after fluoride treatment, you need to follow the same recommendations related to eating and drinking. You do not want to brush your teeth too soon because you may unintentionally scrub away the fluoride you just had applied to your teeth.
What to Do After Fluoride Treatment
There is no need to be confused about what to do after fluoride treatment. The information outlined above, along with the instructions from your dentist, includes everything you need to know about what to do after fluoride treatment.
How Does Fluoride Help?
Our teeth go through two processes daily; demineralization and re-mineralization. Demineralization is the loss of minerals—calcium and phosphate that strengthen the teeth. When these minerals are lost, the teeth become a bit weak and prone to acid attacks and cavities.
When Is supplemental Fluoride Treatment Recommended?
While fluoride treatment is recommended at your routine check-up and cleaning, if you are at a higher risk of cavities, a dentist near you can also use supplemental fluoride treatment if you have certain conditions such as:
How Can Fluoride Treatment Benefit You?
Fluoride treatment can benefit adults in various ways, such as preventing cavities. However, the primary benefit of getting the treatment is that it helps to strengthen the teeth. As we age, the enamel erodes and gets thinner, making it more prone to developing cavities.
How is Fluoride Treatment Done?
Fluoride treatment takes a few minutes, and it is pain-free. The dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant will apply fluoride varnish on the teeth and strengthen the teeth. In some cases, you may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for the first half-hour after the treatment to allow the teeth to absorb the mineral.
What Happens If You Overdose on Fluoride?
Fluoride overdose is rare, but it can occur in children or older adults. Fluorosis can cause discoloration and the formation of white patches on the teeth. Fluoride overdose can also cause dense but weak bones. You can get dental fluorosis treatment to reduce the chances of toxicity and other side effects.
Final Thoughts
Visit Asante Dental Centre in New Westminster for more information about fluoride treatment and what you can expect.
Eating Right After Dental Cleaning
You do not need to wait after your cleaning. A lot of times, patients come in during their lunch hour so of course they will want and need to eat relatively soon after having their teeth cleaned. To avoid any sensitivities, it could be best to avoid anything extreme temperatures.
Fluoride Treatments
A fluoride treatment is often applied to help strengthen your teeth, aiding in the repair of enamel and protecting against decay. If your hygienist applied any sort of fluoride treatment, they will advise that you wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
What to Eat After a Cleaning
As we mentioned earlier, there may be some foods to consider before consuming immediately following a dental cleaning. Some of these types of foods include those that are: