Most people use fluoride toothpaste regularly and maybe use fluoride mouthwash, but when you Visit West Bowmanville Family Dental, we might suggest a professional fluoride treatment, where the fluoride is applied topically to teeth. As dental professionals, we can use prescription-strength fluoride that you cannot purchase over the counter. It is a great preventive treatment that is quick and affordable and can be provided during a hygiene appointment. Below are five things worth knowing about a professional fluoride treatment.
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Fluoride Helps Fight Cavities
Fluoride helps to fight tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Each day, your teeth are exposed to acids produced by bacteria in your mouth or which are naturally present in food and drink. Exposure to acids weakens and softens tooth enamel in a process called demineralization. Eventually, small holes can develop in tooth enamel, causing cavities. Fluoride helps fight this process through remineralization.
After eating, your mouth is more acidic for about half an hour to an hour afterwards. At this point, remineralization begins to occur, where minerals in your saliva, including fluoride, help to strengthen and harden tooth enamel. Fluoride increases the effectiveness of remineralization, helping to prevent tooth decay in Newcastle.
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Treatment Can Reverse Early Signs of Cavities
When you visit our dental practice for a checkup, our dentist will carefully assess each tooth, testing it for any soft spots or small lesions in the enamel. Sometimes, it is possible to re-harden tiny soft spots with a professional fluoride treatment in Courtice, preventing a cavity from forming and avoiding needing any lengthier treatment like a small filling.
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Fluoride Treatments Are Safe
Although we can use prescription-strength fluoride, you can rest assured treatment is very safe. The fluoride is only applied to your tooth surfaces so you do not ingest it, and it is given under supervision. So long as you use fluoride products as directed, there is no risk. However, if you have young kids, it’s always best to keep fluoride products out of reach, especially if you have prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
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Fluoride Treatments Will Not Stain Your Teeth
Dental fluorosis in Clarington can occur when a mum-to-be drinks water with excess fluoride. Usually, this is well water or water from another unregulated and untested source. The excess fluoride can affect the unborn baby’s teeth, so they come through with white flecks or brown stains. Dental fluorosis is not harmful but can look unsightly. A professional fluoride treatment will not cause dental fluorosis. At this point, teeth are developed and not at risk of becoming stained, and the fluoride is given under controlled conditions.
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Treatment Is Quick and Non-Invasive
Professional fluoride treatments are very quick, completely painless and non-invasive. Fluoride can be given in several ways. One option is to swish professional-strength fluoride mouthwash around your mouth for one minute before spitting out the excess. Another method is to wear a mouth tray filled with professional-strength fluoride gel or foam for one or two minutes while you sit comfortably in the dental chair. Fluoride varnish can be painted onto teeth and is left on your teeth until you brush them at bedtime, giving the fluoride plenty of time to penetrate your tooth enamel. After you have a fluoride treatment, you may need to avoid eating and drinking for just half an hour afterwards, but otherwise, you can go about your daily activities as normal.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and numerous studies have shown it is safe and effective in helping to fight tooth decay.
