What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that is not only found in nature, but also in your bones and teeth. Fluoride is used to strengthen tooth enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body and the outermost layer of your teeth. Fluoride can be found in toothpaste, oral rinses, or supplements. Fluoride can also be found in drinking water; using a process called “water fluoridation”, small amounts are added to drinking water to help provide a healthy dose of protective fluoride. Your water company can let you know if the water in your area is fluoridated.
Why Do I Need a Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatments have been a regular part of oral health care for many years. It is recommended that everyone receives a fluoride treatment at least once a year. Individuals with certain conditions may benefit from additional fluoride treatments.
These conditions can include but are not limited to:
During your in-office appointment, your dentist or dental hygienist will apply a fluoride treatment directly to the teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. Varnishes are painted onto the teeth, foams are put into trays and then applied to the teeth anywhere from one to four minutes, and gels can either be painted on or applied with the use of trays.
No matter the method of application, your fluoride treatment will ensure that you receive a higher level of beneficial fluoride to help protect and strengthen your enamel. Your dentist may also be able to provide you with a prescription fluoride supplement as a liquid or tablet. In some cases, your dentist may also prescribe you a fluoride mouth rinse.
How is Fluoride Beneficial for Me?
Fluoride helps to support a healthy oral environment by strengthening the protective layer of enamel and helping the tooth remain protected from decay.
Every day, we lose and gain minerals in our teeth's enamel through two processes called demineralization (losing minerals) and remineralization (gaining minerals). Minerals are lost when acids and bacteria attack the tooth's enamel. Your teeth then gain important minerals and fluoride when food and water are consumed. Experiencing too much demineralization without enough remineralization can lead to tooth decay and other issues.
It is recommended that fluoride treatments should be started at an early age and continued through adulthood.
Here at Willow Glen Dental Center, we believe that preventative care is key to maintaining optimal oral health; fluoride treatments are a key factor in preventative care.
Willow Glen Dental Center is proud to offer fluoride treatments to help our patients maintain strong, healthy teeth. For more information about fluoride treatments or to get scheduled for an appointment in our San Jose dental office, give us a call at (408) 266-6144.
