Most people living in California are already familiar with fluoride. Dentists often recommend fluoride-based toothpaste to patients and general people because of its numerous benefits. However, the fluoride content in such toothpaste is not concentrated, and that is where professional fluoride treatment steps into the picture.
Fluoride treatment has long been recognized as a vital component of preventive dental care. The role of it in maintaining and enhancing dental health is certainly noteworthy. A San Jose dentist is experienced in executing fluoride treatment along with other dental procedures and treatments, helping the patients keep their dental health in check.
Let us dive deeper into what fluoride treatment is and the numerous benefits it brings to the table for dental health.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally and is found in different foods and water sources. It is widely known for the ability it possesses to prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.
Fluoride treatment involves applying concentrated fluoride to the teeth, which is administered by a dentist or utilized through some OTC alternatives such as mouth rinses and toothpaste.
Fluoride treatment is generally painless and quick, usually involving applying fluoride foam, varnish, or gel right on the teeth. Such treatments can be easily carried out during regular dental check-ups and suit adults along with children.
How Fluoride Works
Fluoride actually works in numerous ways to protect teeth from decay:
Remineralization Working
Fluoride helps in rebuilding weakened tooth enamel. It attracts minerals like phosphate and calcium to the tooth surface, resulting in the formation of a much more rigid, decay-resistant layer.
Inhibiting Bacteria
Fluoride creates a hindrance in the activity of the bacteria inside the mouth, making it more difficult for bacteria to produce acids that cause cavities.
Early Decay Prevention
Fluoride helps to prevent the early stages of tooth decay by strengthening the enamel, which stops cavities before they form.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is highly considered and recommended often because of its numerous benefits. Let us shed light on some notable benefits.
It Helps Prevent Teeth from Decaying
A pretty significant benefit of fluoride treatment is it prevents teeth from decaying. Fluoride stiffens the enamel, which makes it more solid against the attack of acids from sugars and plaque bacteria in the mouth. Regular fluoride treatments hugely minimize the chances of tooth decay in adults and children, too.
It Reverses Early Decay to Some Extent
Fluoride helps in reversing early decay, too. When the decay is in the initial stage and has not formed a cavity yet, fluoride does remineralize or rebuild the damaged regions, restoring the surface of the tooth and preventing any further tooth decay.
It Strengthens the Tooth Enamel
Fluoride enhances the tooth enamel structure and makes it more robust and less prone to damage. Strong enamel is vital to protect the inner layer of the teeth from erosion and decay caused by acidic drinks and foods.
The Application is Safe and Painless
Fluoride treatments are painless and quick, making such treatments an ideal preventive measure for people of all age groups. The application process is fast, generally taking merely a few minutes during a regular dental visit.
Cost-Effective Preventive Measure
Compared to the cost of a plethora of therapeutic procedures needed to treat cavities problem, fluoride treatment is a cost-effective preventive measure. It saves money for the patients in the long run by preventing cavities, which minimizes the need for more extensive dental procedures later.
Fluoride Treatment for Different Age Groups
The best thing about fluoride treatment is its suitability for all age groups. Some dental procedures or even preventive measures are not meant for all people because of their intensity.
Pediatric dentists even recommend integrating the application of fluoride varnish into children’s dental care routine.
Let’s Wrap it Up!
Fluoride treatment works on the principle of precaution, which is better than cure. That is why it is suggested to keep visiting a dentist for regular dental check-ups and make sure the entire dental health remains good.
