Fluoride Treatment In Dentistry

One of the core roles of pediatric dentistry is to fight dental cavities and tooth decay in our growing children. Dental decay is a major problem in dentistry, so it is important to have several measures in place that can help fight cavities and decay.

Unfortunately, children are very prone to dental cavities, as soon as they start eating hard foods. Their love for sugary foods and disregard for proper oral hygiene are enough grounds for dental cavities. This is where fluoride treatment comes into play. However, it is not exclusive to dental treatment for children.

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

A fluoride treatment is an oral health treatment that features the use of a natural element, fluoride. Fluoride creates a layer over the enamel of teeth that helps to protect your teeth from tooth decay and damage.

Usually, fluoride treatment is used for patients who have a high risk of getting tooth decay. This explains why many people relate it to children’s treatment.

Cavities are holes that form on the surfaces of teeth as a result of bacteria that build up on teeth. The acids from foods combine with food residue and saliva to form a sticky substance known as plaque, which is responsible for cavity formation in teeth. With time, the cavity progresses into dental decay, since it becomes the inlet for bacteria to the insides of your teeth.

What Causes Tooth Cavities?

Before you think about your eligibility for fluoride treatment, it is important to understand the entire process of tooth decay. The main cause of tooth cavities is plaque buildup. However, some of the following factors can make you a high-risk patient for oral cavities:

1. Smoking – smoking not only tarnishes the color of your teeth but also increases your chances of getting tooth cavities.
2. Other tobacco usages – chewing tobacco may also increase the risk of dental cavities.
3. Decreased saliva in your mouth, causing dry mouth.
4. Consumption of sugary foods – if you have a sweet tooth, then you are not in luck when it comes to dental decay. Sugary foods produce acids that are corrosive to the enamel of your teeth, which eventually leads to dental cavities.
5. Enamel thinning – the structure of your tooth is so that the enamel is the outer layer, usually protecting the dentin and other layers underneath. When the enamel is weak, it easily allows bacteria and acids to sneak into other parts of your teeth.

Can Fluoride Treatment Prevent Tooth Decay For Adults?

For many years, fluoride treatment has been used for pediatric dentistry. It is a common service offered because children need extra reinforcement to help them battle dental decay and cavities.

However, the treatment is not exclusive to children. Adults too can benefit from fluoride treatment, under preventive dentistry. In fact, this treatment is offered during professional teeth cleaning procedures, as the final step to complete the deep cleans.

How Much Fluoride Do You Need?

 Too much of everything is bad for you, and this also applies to fluoride treatment. Only the right amount of fluoride will serve the intended purpose of strengthening your teeth. The Dental Association recommends regular fluoride treatments every 3 or 6 months. If your oral health is not that much in trouble, one treatment annually should work perfectly for you. Thankfully, you do not need to worry about this matter. At Smiles for Health, we will not only treat your mouth but will also give you all the information about your next appointment for the treatment.

While regular professional treatments are needful, they should not be all you rely on for healthy and strong teeth. Given that fluoride is a natural element, optimal fluoride intake can truly be found from food, water, and supplements. Some of the rich sources of natural fluoride include:

1. Tap water – that is Fluoridated.
2. Boiled foods.
3. Fish that is eaten with its bones.
4. Tea
5. Fluoride toothpaste.