The great thing about fluoride treatments is that they are simple and inexpensive to perform yet can save you from having to undergo much more complex and costly dental treatments in the future. That is to say fluoride treatments are preventative medicine.
What Does Fluoride Do?
Acids from plaque that can form on teeth, causing the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel (a process known as demineralization). The production of these acids is boosted by the consumption of sugar. Demineralization leads to tooth decay and the forming of microscopic cavities which will grow over time. A process known as remineralization automatically occurs whereby tiny enamel crystals grow to fill in the cavities. The incorporation of fluoride into this process speeds up the growth of these crystals and also promotes the formation of harder enamel which is more resistant to decay. Fluoride can be consumed both topically and systemically. “Topically” is where the fluoride is applied directly to the tooth, for instance, by toothpaste. “Systemically” is where the fluoride is consumed through food or drink, especially the fluoride added to the water supply.
What Exactly Are Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride is applied directly to the teeth in the form of a solution, gel, foam or varnish. The fluoride may be applied with a cotton swab or a brush or the fluoride could be placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for a few minutes. The fluoride preparation used will be much stronger than that contained in toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinses. The whole process only takes a few minutes and will need to be carried out every three, six, or twelve months.
Some people will benefit from fluoride treatments more than others depending upon how prone their teeth are to cavity formation. Come in to see us to discuss the best method of fluoride treatments for you and how it can keep your teeth cavity free.
The great thing about fluoride treatments is that they are simple and inexpensive to perform yet can save you from having to undergo much more complex and costly dental treatments in the future. That is to say fluoride treatments are preventative medicine.