Natures cavity fighter fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral helping prevent cavities in children and adults by strengthening the enamel making it more resistant to acid attacks responsible for tooth decay. For over seven decades, tap water in the US contains minimal amounts of fluoride as a defensive measure against tooth decay. As a result, fluorinated water has reduced tooth decay by approximately 25 percent, confirms the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC).
Although most water in America contains fluoride, professional fluoride treatments can significantly protect teeth if you are at a higher risk of dental caries. Professional treatments may not be suitable for everyone but are undoubtedly beneficial for people with a higher risk of tooth decay.
This article looks at the benefits of fluoride treatments for adults and kids besides the recommendations and side effects.
What Are Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride treatments provided by the dentist contain a higher concentration of fluoride the dentist applies to your teeth to improve dental health and inhibit the risk of cavities. In-office fluoride treatments are generally as a solution, gel, varnish, or foam.
You can also use high concentration fluoride treatments at home only if it is recommended by the dentist.
The fluoride used by dentists when providing fluoride treatment is similar to fluoride in toothpaste. However, as in-office treatments contain higher concentrations, they offer instant benefits.
Fluoride Treatment Recommendations
Frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride every day to reduce the risk of dental cavities for patients of all ages is recommended by the CDC and the ADA. People drinking tap water with optimal fluoride levels and brushing their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste find the recommendation beneficial. However, in-office professional fluoride treatments are recommended for adults and children because they can provide additional benefits.
Fluoride treatments for adults can vary in concentration, doses, and frequency of treatment. If you are at a moderate to high risk of tooth decay, you receive adequate help from professional fluoride treatments once every six months. You can review the hazards and advantages of fluoride treatments with your dentist after contemplating all origins of fluoride, including toothpaste and mouthwash. People living in areas where fluoridated water isn’t available gain significantly from more frequent in-office fluoride treatments
Dental cavities are a chronic disease among children more common than asthma. Therefore children must receive fluoride treatment soon as their teeth begin erupting to prevent decay, discomfort, and future dental infections, recommend the American academy of pediatrics.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatments for Adults and Kids
Fluoride helps the body use minerals like calcium and phosphate, which are absorbed by the teeth to repair weak enamel. Fluoride blends into the tooth structure through the developmental stages to restore the enamel, making them invulnerable to bacteria and holes. As a result, fluoride can slow down or even reverse the development of cavities by preventing harmful bacteria from eroding the enamel.
When fluoride inhibits cavities by curbing down the increase of bacteria, it also blocks gum disease, reduces tooth pain, and prevents premature loss of teeth. The WHO states fluoride treatments improve oral health, which in turn has an effect on your overall health. Poor oral health causes various other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Fluoride treatments are beneficial for everyone. However, the sooner children are exposed to provide, the better it is for them to stay away from the chronic problem of cavities.
When Can You Eat After Fluoride Treatment?
A visit to the dentist inquiring about fluoride treatments is all that is required to get the treatment in under 30 minutes. The dentist completes the treatment by applying fluoride gel, varnish, or solution over your teeth, instructing you not to eat or drink anything for the next 30 minutes. Fluoride treatments for children are available free of cost if you have dental insurance covering you. As an adult, you may have to pay $30 or more out of pocket to receive the treatment from the dental office. However, it is a small price to pay to strengthen your enamel and avoid the problem of dental cavities requiring expensive treatments from dentists and damaging your dental health forever.
Fluoride treatments allow you to have a safeguard against dental cavities in your mouth. It doesn’t mean you can neglect brushing and flossing or regular visits to the dentist. Fluoride treatments provide an additional barrier to your teeth in your battle against cavities, helping you safeguard your dental health.