What Does A Fluoride Treatment Involve?
Tooth decay and dental cavities are the most common dental problems faced in dentistry. It affects both children and adults, and it can cause severe pain and even lead to worse dental problems. Tooth decay is caused by the infestation of dental plaques in the mouth. Dental plaques are formed as a result of the combination of saliva, food remnant, and bacteria in the mouth. A dental plaque is a slimy, sticky object that wraps around the teeth. Dental plaques use the foods and drinks you take to produce acid. The acid produced causes a breakdown of your tooth enamel and leads to decay. Regular brushing and flossing help to eliminate dental plaques to an extent. A regular appointment with a dentist near you can also help to protect your teeth from decay. However, prevention as we know it is better than cure. Modern dentistry has provided measures through which we can fortify ourselves from tooth decay and dental cavities. One of these measures is to get a fluoride treatment near you.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring material that is found in bones and teeth. It can also be found in natural resources such as water, rocks, air, soil, plants, etc. Fluoride is popularly known to build strong bones, teeth, and prevent tooth decay and cavities. Fluoride helps to fight the bacteria that form dental plaques and supports healthy tooth enamel. Getting a fluoride treatment in Pleasant Hill is a great choice especially if you are at risk of developing dental caries or cavities.
Uses Of Fluoride
- Fluoride is used to aid the formation of new bone.
- Fluoride is used in the production of dental materials like toothpaste, mouth rinse, supplements, etc.
- Fluoride is used as a cleaning agent.
- Fluoride is used in the production of pesticides.
- Fluoride is used to enhance medical imaging scans.
Kids need to be exposed to fluoride, especially between the “ages of 6 months to 16 years. Fluoride exposure is needed during this timeframe because this period is when the milk teeth and permanent teeth come in. A fluoride treatment at these ages helps to fortify the teeth as they develop. This is not to say that fluoride treatment is not needed for adults. A fluoride treatment is as important in strengthening developing teeth at all stages as in fighting tooth decay. Adults, who have the following conditions need a fluoride treatment now than ever:
- Dry mouth conditions.
- History of frequent cavities.
- Presence of dental crowns, braces, bridges, etc.
- Gum diseases. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis and gingivitis in its early stage, is known to expose the teeth and their roots to bacteria. This exposes the tooth to risks of decay. Therefore, a fluoride treatment comes in handy to protect the teeth.
Fluoride Treatment Procedure
A dentist in Pleasant Hill provides fluoride treatment in different forms. It could be in the form of a highly concentrated foam, rinse, gel, or varnish and can be applied with a swab, brush, swab, mouthwash, or tray.
The fluoride used in fluoride treatments is similar to the one used in the production of toothpaste. However, during a fluoride treatment procedure, the fluoride used is highly concentrated, therefore, it produces faster results.
A fluoride treatment takes only a few minutes to be applied and completed.
Fluoride Treatment Aftercare
After a fluoride treatment, there are precautions to be taken to ensure maximum results.
You should not eat, drink, or smoke for about thirty minutes to an hour after a fluoride treatment. This allows for the full absorption of fluoride by the teeth and enamel. Also, you are to avoid brushing or flossing during this timeframe. Furthermore, avoid hot beverages, and hard and crunchy foods.
Finally, avoid products that contain fluoride. Excess fluoride can lead to defects that affect the tooth enamel known as fluorosis. Fluorosis can be characterized by white specks or streaks on the tooth, brown discoloration of the teeth, etc.