Good dental care is often needed to help keep your teeth in good shape so they last a long time – maybe even a whole lifetime. An important aspect of that dental care may involve fluoride treatments, especially for your children. This treatment helps prevent tooth decay by protecting their teeth against harmful bacteria.

Why Fluoride Helps Protects Teeth

Throughout the day, the enamel on your teeth will both lose and gain minerals, called demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization occurs when there are a lot of sugars and plaque in your mouth. This also means that there will be a higher level of acids in your mouth. Remineralization occurs when you eat certain foods and water. It adds calcium, flouride, and phosphate to your enamel. In order for your teeth to stay healthy, the two processes need to be in balance.

The addition of fluoride helps to prevent decay, and is most beneficial in children, when their teeth are forming. It helps to slow down the damage that is caused by acids in their mouth that tend to demineralize the teeth. It also helps to remineralize your teeth.

When Fluoride Is Needed

Teeth can become more prone to problems, called dental caries (tooth decay) when the bacteria that cause decay are not frequently removed. Brushing and flossing will normally help reduce the likelihood of dental problems, but more may be needed.

Some people (children and adults) are going to need fluoride treatments for various reasons. These problems will largely stem from a lack of care given to their teeth and mouth, but some health issues can cause problems, too. The problems may include poor care of the teeth, eating disorders, substance abuse, poor diet, currently having head and neck radiation therapy, etc.

Types of Treatments

Treatments with fluoride can be given in several different forms and can be performed within a few minutes. Dentists may use fluoride in the form of a gel, a solution, foam, or as a varnish. Most often, they will apply it with a small brush or a cotton swab. Then it is held in the mouth until the desired time is up.

Repeat Treatments

Depending on the cause of the demineralization, the dentist may want the treatment repeated every few months. Possible additional applications of fluoride may also be recommended in the form of over-the-counter products that contain it, such as mouth rinses and toothpastes. In some cases, a supplement containing fluoride may also be recommended.

Being treated with fluoride in a dentist’s office can be beneficial to people of all ages. This is especially true of young people and adults who have dental issues. It can help your teeth be more resistant to cavities, and may help against needing root canals, too.

At Amazing Smile Dental NY, we can help you and your family prevent cavities with fluoride treatments. We want to help you keep your teeth as long as possible, and keep your beautiful smile looking great. We offer many dental solutions for the entire family. We are located in the Forest Hills area of Queens, New York. Call us today at (718) 674-6478 to make an appointment and to get answers to your questions.