What are the benefits of a fluoride treatment?
Mar 01, 2022 · Fluoride treatment has several benefits for the teeth: It helps the body to utilize minerals such as phosphate and calcium. The teeth reabsorb these minerals, thus repairing... Fluoride joins the tooth structure when your teeth develop, thus strengthening the teeth’ enamel, making them less... It ...
Do adults really need a fluoride treatment?
Feb 25, 2021 · Fluoride works to strengthen in two different ways. The first is through systemic absorption of fluoride, meaning you obtain the fluoride through your food and water. This systemic absorption allows your teeth to incorporate fluoride into the mineral matrix of hard tooth structure during formation.
Does fluoride really help teeth?
Mar 16, 2022 · These include: 2 Fluoride mouth rinses are a concentrated solution that you swish in your mouth and around your teeth as directed,... Fluoride supplements are available as a tablet or lozenge and are consumed by chewing or sucking on the supplement... Fluoride gel and/or foam are applied by your ...
When to consider a fluoride treatment?
Jan 20, 2021 · What are the Benefits of Fluoride Treatments? Prevent gum disease and reduce tooth pain by slowing the growth of bacteria. Slow the growth and reduce the risk of cavities. Makes your teeth more resistant to acids and the damage caused by acid-producing bacteria. Treats hypersensitivity of the teeth ...
How long does a fluoride treatment last?
How long does fluoride varnish last? The fluoride varnish sticks to the teeth until brushed away the next day, however, the benefits of the fluoride will last for several months. Fluoride varnish needs to be reapplied every 3 to 4 months for best results.
How long does fluoride take to work?
Some professional fluoride treatments require a waiting period of 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. Fluoride varnishes adhere to the teeth for hours, and no waiting period is required. You may eat or drink immediately following its application.
What happens during a fluoride treatment?
Fluoride works by restoring minerals to tooth surfaces where bacteria may have eroded the enamel. It can also inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria and further prevent cavities.
How long does fluoride need to stay on teeth?
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. Additionally, you may want to think more about what you are eating after a fluoride treatment.
Is a fluoride treatment worth it?
Does Fluoride Have Other Benefits? Yes! Not only does fluoride prevent decay, it can also reduce root hypersensitivity such as cold sensitivity and sensitivity during dental cleanings, which can be common with gum recession.Jul 7, 2020
Why can't you brush your teeth after fluoride?
The coating will naturally wear away in that time period. In laboratory studies, Vanish White Varnish continues to release fluoride, calcium and phosphate for 24 hours. Patients should refrain from brushing or flossing their teeth for 24 hours to achieve the maximum benefit.Sep 23, 2019
Do I need fluoride?
Yes, it is specifically important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. It becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize teeth. But it's still very important to continue to use it as an adult.Dec 16, 2020
What happens if you eat after fluoride?
That sugar is converted to acid which immediately attacks the hard-outer surface of your teeth which is called enamel. The acid attack demineralizes the enamel weakening it and even thinning the enamel.
Does fluoride treatment whiten teeth?
Fluoride varnish is a safe, effective way to protect your teeth from advancing tooth decay, cavities, and acts as a whitener.Jul 18, 2017
Can I rinse my mouth after fluoride treatment?
Do not floss, brush or rinse your teeth for about six hours after fluoride treatment. If you do so, you might wipe off the fluoride from your teeth before it is entirely absorbed.Jun 4, 2021
Can you use fluoride toothpaste at home?
For patients with persistent sensitivity or consistently high risk for cavities, Dr. Ann may prescribe a fluoride product for you to use at home. These prescription products typically come in the form of gels or toothpastes that you apply to the teeth before bed. They contain a higher concentration of fluoride that is not safe for children, so be sure to follow the instructions on the package and store out of the reach of your little ones.
Is fluoride poisonous?
There are many proponents of the theory that fluoride is “poison”, and you can find information easily with a quick internet search. The truth is that fluoride can be toxic when its levels surpass safe amounts in the drinking water. When there is too much fluoride in the ground that seeps into the drinking water, the people who drink it may be at risk for problems with their teeth and bones. Some studies also show neurotoxicity (nerve and brain problems) with extremely high levels of fluoride.
Why is fluoride important?
Fluoride helps because, when teeth are growing, it mixes with tooth enamel — that hard coating on your teeth. That prevents tooth decay, or cavities. But fluoride can help even after your teeth are formed. It works with saliva to protect tooth enamel from plaque and sugars.
What to do if your water doesn't have fluoride?
And if your drinking water doesn't have fluoride in it, your dentist might suggest supplements — which are like vitamins containing fluoride.
Where is fluoride found?
Fluoride is a natural element found in the earth's crust as well as in water and air. Decades ago, scientists discovered that kids who naturally had more fluoride in their drinking water had fewer cavities. In the mid-1940s, communities started to put more fluoride in their water supplies to protect people against tooth decay.
About Fluoride Treatment
Have you ever asked yourself why tap water has fluoride? For 70 plus years, Americans have been drinking tap water that has fluoride. The whole idea is to strengthen your teeth and ultimately protect them from tooth decay.
How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?
Your tooth each day loses minerals through a process known as demineralization. This occurs due to the acid produced by bacteria. Fluoride’s main purpose is to redeposit the lost minerals. This is known as remineralization.
Do You Need Fluoride Treatment?
Children from six months to 16 years need to use fluoride regularly. This is because their permanent teeth are being formed. Also, you can reap the benefits of fluoride treatment if:
How Many Times Should You Get Fluoride Treatment?
As mentioned before, fluoride is good for your teeth. So, besides getting topical fluoride from toothpaste and mouthwashes, you can get topical fluoride from our office. Our dentist recommends that you come in for fluoride treatment once every three, six, or 12 months. How frequently you get treatment will be dependent on your oral health.
What to Expect During Your Fluoride Treatment
You don’t need to prepare beforehand when you are coming for fluoride treatment. The procedure is painless and is through within a heartbeat. This is what happens:
How Does Fluoride Work?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element from the earth. It is found in the earth’s crust, in water, and in the air. It was determined by scientists decades ago that fluoride in drinking water correlated with a reduction in cavities in children. Because of this, many communities in the 1940s began putting fluoride in their water supply.
How Does Fluoride Protect Teeth Against Cavities?
Fluoride prevents tooth decay and cavities as it mixes with your tooth’s enamel when your teeth are growing. The enamel is the hard, outer shell of your teeth that protects your dentin and the root of your teeth. Having strong enamel is important when it comes to the longevity of your teeth.
Do I Need Fluoride Treatment?
You may wonder if you need fluoride treatment, or why you haven’t heard about it from your dentist by now. Below are some of the common reasons why you may need a fluoride treatment, so talk with your dentist about your options.
Fluoride Treatment
A dental professional can provide fluoride treatment in La Mesa. The treatment is helpful as it can help prevent your teeth from tooth decay. The treatment involves a highly concentrated amount of fluoride in the form of a rinse, foam, gel, or varnish. These concentrated amounts of fluoride can have a major benefit on your oral health.
Dentist in La Mesa
If you are concerned about your oral health and think you may need a fluoride treatment, contact Smiles of La Mesa! The team at Smiles of La Mesa are experienced in a variety of treatment options, including fluoride treatment. They also have skill in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.
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.
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.
Is fluoride a mineral?
Medically Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on March 17, 2019. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth 's enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth 's enamel layer when acids -- ...
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.
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.
Why is fluoride important for teeth?
Just as calcium works to build strong bones and teeth, fluoride can work to form a solid base of tooth enamel.
How often should I get fluoride treatment?
Professional fluoride treatments are standard for most children -- and recommended for adults -- and they're given every three, six or 12 months, depending on oral health. A bubble-gum flavored polish with a fluoride treatment after has been pretty standard procedure for kids who visit the dentist, ...
Where can I find fluoride?
Before fluoride is added to tooth products, it can be found in water, soil, air and rocks, among other places in nature. As part of an oral hygiene routine, it is very effective in fighting tooth decay and pain in decaying areas.
Does fluoride help teeth grow?
Studies have shown that fluoridated water has lowered rates of tooth decay by 20 to 50 percent, allowing some children to grow up without getting cavities or with fewer of them [sources: ADA; AAPD ]. As permanent teeth are growing, it's considered especially beneficial to use fluoride.
How does fluoride work?
Used before eating and drinking, it actually inhibits some acid from attacking tooth enamel. It has an effect on the bacteria as it forms to become corrosive to teeth.
Is fluoride painless?
Some individuals may experience mild discomfort or gum irrita tion during or after fluoride application, especially if sensitive teeth are an issue, but in most cases, the treatment is painless and completely comfortable.
How to treat fluoride?
Fluoride treatments are most effective when combined with good oral hygiene. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and maintaining a diet high in vitamins and minerals can keep most people out of the high-risk dental category and will make routine treatments an added layer of protection and prevention. Some individuals may experience mild discomfort or gum irritation during or after fluoride application, especially if sensitive teeth are an issue, but in most cases, the treatment is painless and completely comfortable. Because the concentration of fluoride used in office treatments is so high, stomach upset or nausea may result if the solution is swallowed, but most often upright positioning helps prevent this.
