Fluoride is a generic mineral that has unique properties for tooth decay prevention and improvement of dental health. Fluoride is an essential component of routine oral care that helps to maintain strong, healthy teeth. Fluoride remineralizes the enamel, the outer layer of teeth giving it stronger properties against decay, and is used in professional treatments by dentists and oral care products like toothpaste or mouth rinses, explains Suncreek Dental. This article explains the advantages of fluoride treatment, along with its procedure and how it helps improve your oral well-being.
What is Dental Fluoride Treatment?
Dental fluoride treatment is a professional application of concentrated fluoride on the teeth, commonly used when performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. It is intended to protect the surfaces of teeth from decay and cavities, especially in those who are at an increased risk for oral disease. Fluoride treatment may be in the form of gels, foams, varnish, or mouth rinses that are frequently administered during dental appointments.
Fluoride is often used in drinking water and many over-the-counter oral care products, but a professional treatment allows for a higher concentration and stronger protection for your teeth.
How Removing Fluoride Can Help Your Teeth
1. Cavity Prevention: The important benefit of fluoride treatment is the protection against cavities. Fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to the effects of acids from sugar and bacteria in the mouth which can cause cavities. This becomes even more crucial for people who are cavity-prone (not that you could just ignore the importance of this fact!).
2. Remineralization of Teeth: Fluoride aids in remineralization, which is the naturally occurring process of recovering early tooth decay. Acid can wash away important minerals from our enamel, but fluoride can restore these lost minerals, therefore hardening the enamel and reversing early acid erosion before caries development happens.
3. Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults: Although everyone can benefit from some fluoride, kids and teens are more cavity-prone because their enamel is still forming. However, they will also be able to have professional fluoride treatment so that even young patients can be protected from sustaining serious dental problems later in life. Adults, too — particularly those with particular health conditions and dry mouth — can take advantage of fluoride treatments to stave off decay from damaging their teeth.
4. Enhanced Sensitivity Relief: For many people, tooth sensitivity caused by root exposure or worn enamel is often an issue too. Fluoride treatment can help strengthen the outer layers of your teeth and minimize this. Fluoride treatment closes the tiny channels in tooth surfaces reaching to nerves so you can not feel hot, cold or sweet so much.
5. Improved Overall Oral Health: Fluoride helps prevent dental cavities and gum disease thereby enhancing oral health. This improves your mouth, creates less need for dentist visits and the lower cavities lead to a higher quality of life with stronger enamel.
Dental fluoride treatment is one of the best methods to prevent teeth from decay, enhance oral health, and reduce cavities. Fluoride is an important mineral for both children and adults to achieve strong, healthy teeth. If you want to keep that smile bright and have ideal dental health for many years in the future, partner with your dentist and we will help get plenty of fluoride treatments into your normal course of care. Speak to your dentist about fluoride treatment options for you and your family if it has been a while since the last one.