Is the fluoride treatment at the dentist really worth it?
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.
Why should I get a fluoride treatment at the dentist?
The Mayo Clinic states the following recommended daily amounts of fluoride:
- Birth to 3 years of age: 0.1 to 1.5 milligrams (mg)
- 4 to 6 years of age: 1 to 2.5 mg
- 7 to 10 years of age: 1.5 to 2.5 mg
- Adolescents and adults: 1.5 to 4 mg
Do all dentists reccomend fluoride?
Widström et al. reported that only 54.6% of dentists and dental hygienists in their survey recommend toothpaste with appropriate fluoride concentration to all or most of their young patients. Jensen et al. ( 2014 ) reported that only some dentists and dental hygienists were of the opinion that oral hygiene instructions should include ...
Should adults be getting fluoride treatments?
Adults can benefit from fluoride treatments at any age. Scheduling an appointment for a fluoride treatment will depend on your oral health and how much at risk you are for developing cavities. If you have several factors that leave you at risk for developing tooth decay, your dentist may recommend you use topical fluoride treatments to help ...
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Is fluoride treatment necessary for adults?
In general, fluoride treatments are not always necessary for adults, but they can be beneficial to your overall oral hygiene depending on your situation.
Why do dentists put fluoride on teeth?
It's been an essential oral health treatment for decades. Fluoride supports healthy tooth enamel and fights the bacteria that harm teeth and gums. 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.
Why do adults need fluoride varnish?
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.
What is fluoride treatment for adults?
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. These in-office treatments may take the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish.
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.
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.
Is a fluoride varnish worth it?
Fluoride varnish applied every six months is effective in preventing caries in the primary and permanent dentitions of children and adolescents. Two or more applications of fluoride varnish per year are effective in preventing caries in high-risk populations.
Should I get fluoride?
Everyone needs fluoride in their diet to help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy. Eating healthy, drinking water that contains fluoride, and using fluoride toothpaste is an excellent way to keep up with fluoride intake. But most people can still benefit from a regular fluoride treatment.
How long does fluoride Last teeth?
The fluoride treatment comes mostly in the form of varnish that is applied to the teeth and sticks to the teeth for a period of four to six hours before been washed away by brushing. However, during this time, the fluoride will have been absorbed into the teeth enamel and offer permanent protection for the meantime.
Why do you need fluoride?
Fluoride not only protects your teeth from decay, but it also helps to reduce acid-related enamel wear. Certain acidic foods, such as salad dressings, fruit juices and tomatoes, can dissolve the enamel of your teeth daily.
What is fluoride treatment at dentist?
Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth). Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities.
What is fluoride used for?
Fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay. It is taken up by teeth and helps to strengthen teeth, resist acid, and block the cavity-forming action of bacteria. Fluoride usually is prescribed for children and adults whose homes have water that is not fluoridated (already has fluoride added).
What happens when you get fluoride treatment?
With the nerve indirectly exposed, your teeth become more sensitive to outside stimuli. When you get fluoride treatments, however, you can restore the outer protective layer of your teeth and make them less sensitive to heat and cold.
Why do teeth get thinner as we age?
As we age, our teeth naturally become thinner and more brittle as a result of mineral loss or general wear and tear. However, fluoride treatments can help to lessen the effects of the aging process on your teeth. Ultimately, this can make your teeth stronger and less susceptible to decay and cavities.
Why do teeth turn yellow?
Unfortunately, in addition to being more susceptible to tooth decay as you age , your teeth can also become yellower. This is because, when your dental enamel thins over time, the yellow dentin layer beneath can show through. However, routine fluoride treatments can help to remineralize your dental enamel and reduce this thinning process— ultimately keeping your teeth looking whiter.
Can you use fluoride over the counter?
If your teeth are prone to decay, you may have already considered over-the-counter fluoride treatments. However, these topical products and rinses are not always sufficient enough to restore the minerals that your teeth have lost. Your dentist’s treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride and are much more effective in strengthening your teeth.
What is a dental fluoride treatment?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in several foods and water. When consumed or applied, it strengthens teeth and prevents the growth of oral bacteria that can attack your teeth and gums.
Ways We Get Fluoride
Because of its many benefits, fluoride is commonly added to the tap water of public water supplies. And even though it occurs naturally in several foods, it is also added to many processed foods and drinks. Moreover, fluoridated water is also available for purchase.
What are the benefits of fluoride?
When added to your oral care regimen, fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel. It is especially beneficial for children who are at risk of tooth decay. Young patients are often given topical dental fluoride treatments to help foster a healthy environment for tooth development and guard against decay and cavities.
When is fluoride most important?
Age doesn’t matter when it comes to protecting your teeth. Both children and adults should have plenty of exposure to keep their teeth healthy. It is, however, especially important for children to help their teeth become strong and to prevent tooth decay.
What types of applications do dentists provide?
Dentists can provide dental fluoride treatments in the form of gel foam or varnish. These topical treatments offer a stronger concentration than what you can get over the counter, so you can receive the maximum benefits from the treatment.
What happens during a dental fluoride treatment?
The treatment performed in your dentist’s office is a simple procedure.
Is there such a thing as too much fluoride?
While supplements provide many benefits to our teeth, an excessive amount can have negative effects. Too much fluoride, which many dentists refer to as dental fluorosis, can cause severe staining of tooth enamel.
How Does Fluoride Work?
Fluoride is a chemical naturally found in soil, rocks, and water. It’s also added to many community water supplies, toothpaste, and mouthwash. When fluoride mixes with your saliva, it interacts with the calcium and phosphate in your tooth enamel to create a powerful cavity-fighting defense! It can even reverse very early tooth decay.
Why Would Adults Need Fluoride?
Kids are more vulnerable to cavities, which is why fluoride treatments are important. However, when that child becomes an adult, it’s not as if the need for fluoride vanishes. While many adults get enough fluoride from toothpaste and their drinking water, they might need more if they’re prone to cavities.
Cavity Prevention in Rochester Hills & St. Clair Shores, MI
Fluoride treatments and other preventive care are part of the dental services we offer at Hillstream Dental. Though most insurance plans don’t cover fluoride treatments for adults, they’re an affordable treatment that helps you avoid other costs down the road.
How often should I brush my teeth with fluoride?
If however you do decide that you would like to forego fluoride at the dental office, I would recommend that you brush at least 3 times a day, always floss in the evening, and avoid frequent or long periods of snacking to give your child a better chance at not getting a cavity.
How to prevent cavities from developing?
Incipient cavities or pre-cavity spots, which typically appear as brown stains or white spots on the tooth can be strengthened by applying fluoride to those areas. It has been shown that fluoride treatment can prevent these areas from developing into full blown cavities with regular brushing
What is the best treatment for decay in children?
If your child is too young or too anxious to sit for treatment, a special kind of fluoride medication is recommended, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). This special type of fluoride can stop decay from getting worse and works to reinforce the area from decay in the future thanks to the silver ion. This prevents bacteria from eating further through the tooth. SDF is gaining popularity as a delay tactic for young or anxious children. The one downside to Silver Diamine Fluoride is that it will stain the areas of decay black.
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.
Why is fluoride important to teeth?
When fluoride is applied to your teeth, it improves the usage of other minerals such as phosphate and calcium, which are important to our bodies. Calcium and phosphate help repair the enamel, and they also strengthen your teeth.
What are the risks of fluoride?
Some people fear this treatment because of misinformation. Some of the common myths include: 1 Fluoridate treatment leads to fluorosis. This can only occur if you don’t follow the dentist’s instructions. 2 Fluoride is dangerous to kids. 3 Fluoride treatment increases the risk of oral cancer. Many studies have been conducted, and none shows that fluoride increases the risk of cancer.
Why do teeth lose their enamel?
Typically, the tooth cavity is caused when bacteria meet with food particles forming acids that attack the enamel. Fluoride makes your teeth less susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria, decreasing the risk of developing cavities.
How often should I see a dentist?
Fluoride treatment can prevent gum disease and cavities, meaning you will only need to visit the dentist at least every six months for cleanings and exams.
Why does my mouth get dry?
In most cases, dry mouth is caused by the medications one is taking. Persons taking heart disease medications or undergoing radiations are often at a higher risk of developing dry mouth. Unfortunately, if you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth, it affects your digestion and increases the risk of halitosis. If you are struggling with dry mouth, a dentist fluoride treatment may be what you need.
Can fluoride cause tooth loss?
Gum disease is quite widespread, and one of the leading causes of tooth loss. A fluoride treatment will not necessarily treat the issue, but it can decrease the risk of losing your tooth to the disease.
Does fluoride help with cavities?
If you have a history of developing cavities, fluoride treatment is what you need. Fluoride is known for its ability to prevent cavi ties and strengthen bones. People who undergo the treatment are always at a lower risk of developing cavities.
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 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.
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.
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.
What are the risks of cavities?
The following can increase your risk of cavities: excessive drug or alcohol use. eating disorder. poor oral hygiene. lack of professional dental care. poor diet.
How much does insurance cover for fluoride?
Insurance usually covers fluoride treatments at the dentist for children. Adults, however, may pay $10 to $30 out of pocket, or more. Always ask your dentist about costs before treatment.
What happens if you break down enamel?
If the plaque breaks down the enamel layer, bacteria can infect and harm the nerves and blood at the core of the tooth. Read on to learn about fluoride treatment benefits, side effects, cost, and what to expect.