What are Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride can be found in a variety of dental products and in many public water supplies. Fluoride is used to protect and strengthen teeth, making them more resilient to tooth decay. We offer special fluoride treatments in our office to further add to this level of protection. Fluoride treatments are most often suited to children and teens as a way to keep their vulnerable smiles protected, but the treatments can be just as beneficial to adults.
Why would Fluoride Treatments be needed?
You might benefit from fluoride treatments if you don’t use fluoridated toothpaste at home or if your teeth are susceptible to tooth decay. For children, we typically add fluoride to their teeth at each checkup visit to protect their smiles. Fluoride is useful in that it helps to prevent cavities. By preventing cavities from developing, you can avoid the need for fillings, root canals and even total extractions.
Who is a candidate for Fluoride Treatments?
Most patients who want fluoride treatments can and will benefit from having them done in our office. Most often, we recommend fluoride treatments to our pediatric patients as a way to keep their teeth protected from cavities. However, even some of our adult patients can benefit from fluoride treatments. Fluoride is safe and highly effective at keeping your teeth looking their best.
What happens during Fluoride Treatments?
The procedure is done quickly and easily in our office. In fact, we often apply fluoride to teeth in conjunction with other procedures and treatments, such as during a cleaning or exam. We apply a thin layer of fluoride varnish to the teeth using a small brush. You’ll be instructed to avoid eating, drinking or rinsing for about an hour following the appointment. This gives the fluoride enough time to soak into the teeth to work its magic. You can have fluoride treatments done at each of your bi-annual checkup visits or as often as needed.
If you’d like to learn more about our fluoride treatments and how they can benefit your smile, call us today to speak with one of our highly trained staff members.