What Are the Benefits of Fluoride Treatment and How Can It Help?

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

It is a dental protocol in preventive dentistry entailing the application of fluoride on natural teeth. Fluoride is a natural mineral otherwise found in foods that strengthen teeth. ideally, you should obtain fluoride from the foods you eat every day, including:

1. Fish with bones
2. Boiled foods
3. Tap water

However, obtaining fluoride naturally may not be enough to strengthen your teeth and fight against dental cavities. Professional fluoride treatment increases the concentration of the mineral intentionally to coat teeth enamels and make them strong.

Who Needs Fluoride Treatment?

Everyone can benefit from fluoride treatment. However, the treatment is more common in pediatric dentistry. If children have a good oral health foundation when they are young, they have a better chance of excelling in their dental health in the future. Still, adults can benefit from the treatment just like children.

When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical?

We have noticed that at Emerson Family Dental, fluoride intake is more beneficial to some people than others. Some of the cases that make fluoride treatment very critical are:

1. Xerostomia – is an oral condition featuring a dry mouth. Various factors can cause your mouth to be dry, including medical illnesses like Sjögren’s syndrome, cancer, or treatments for allergies, cancer, or high blood pressure. A dry mouth reduces saliva, which is crucial for reducing acidity in the oral cavity.
2. Periodontitis – is an advanced stage of gum disease featuring severe symptoms like shaky teeth and premature tooth loss. The disease damages the gum tissue enough to expose too much of your tooth roots, making them weak and susceptible to cavities.
3. Highly prone to dental cavities – some people are at a high risk of getting dental cavities because of their lifestyle choices. Children and smokers are among such people. Besides, a fluoride treatment will reduce the likelihood of developing new ones if you have a dental history of tooth cavities.
4. Dental restorations – if you have a dental bridge, crown, or braces, you need a fluoride treatment to strengthen your natural teeth. Dental restorations can weaken your teeth where they meet their structure.
5. Worn down teeth – enamel thinning is common among adults due to aging. However, other factors can erode the enamel and compromise your teeth’ strength, including excessive teeth grinding, alcohol consumption, and acidic foods.

How Does Fluoride Help Your Teeth?

Before you consider taking fluoride treatment in Emerson, learn about its benefits to your oral cavity, including the following:

1. Strengthening teeth – fluoride re-mineralizes teeth, increasing their ability to absorb other minerals. The better your teeth enamels can absorb minerals, the stronger they become.
2. Fighting dental decay – fluoride increases teeth’ resistance to bacteria and acids that cause dental cavities.
3. Reverses early decay – Emerson dentists believe that getting fluoride treatment before dental cavities have fully developed on your teeth can reverse them.
4. Reduces the need for future restorative treatments – children who receive fluoride treatments early are less likely to need future restorative dental care. Besides, the treatment is among the preventive dental protocols that prevent premature tooth loss.

How Long Should You Wait to Eat After Fluoride Treatment?

You should not eat food immediately after a fluoride treatment. Dentists in general dentistry usually recommend waiting for about 30 minutes post-treatment before you eat or drink anything. This period ensures that the fluoride has properly sealed teeth. However, if you can wait longer, there is no harm in doing so.

Regarding brushing your teeth, wait more than 30 minutes. In fact, you may have to delay teeth brushing for up to 6 hours or longer. Give your teeth ample time to interact with the fluoride for optimal benefits.

Is Fluoride Safe for Your Health?

The first 24 hours with fluoride on your teeth can be nerve-wracking. However, professional fluoride treatments are regulated to safe levels. The complications with the treatment only arise when it is used improperly, usually at high doses. The toxicity of fluoride dosages varies based on your body weight. Therefore, do not take chances by administering fluoride treatment without a dental expert begin involved in the process.