The Benefits of Fluoride
Strong enamel means less plaque and fewer cavities. Fluoride helps strengthen your tooth enamel, inhibits the acidic decay caused by plaque, and protects your teeth from plaque buildup. Your teeth have an even higher mineral content than your bones, and fluoride assists with restoring minerals to your enamel.
If you have gum disease, your enamel may need some extra protection. When gums recede, they expose the sensitive part of your tooth below the gumline, making your teeth more vulnerable to infection and decay. Fluoride treatments can help restore essential minerals and prevent complications of gingivitis.
Fluoride Treatments
Dentists have used fluoride treatments for decades to help prevent cavities. They’re safe, quick, and completely painless. During a fluoride treatment, we apply a topical fluoride solution directly onto your tooth enamel. After the fluoride sets, we’ll rinse any excess solution away.
Fluoride treatments might only take a few minutes, but their benefits last a long time! Depending on how vulnerable your teeth are to cavities, you may need fluoride treatments one or more times per year. We can simply administer the treatment after each of your regularly scheduled cleanings.
Fluoride in Water
Drinking water that contains trace minerals and fluoride can help restore and strengthen your tooth enamel. However, not all drinking water contains fluoride. Filtered water and bottled water often lack fluoride and other essential minerals, while distilled water and reverse osmosis water have no minerals or fluoride at all.
If you prefer filtered or distilled water for its purity, you might want to ask for a fluoride treatment at your next appointment with Sunrise Dental. We can apply a fast-acting fluoride gel or varnish to your teeth after your next cleaning.
Fluoride Toothpaste
Using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash can help reverse the early signs of tooth decay and prevent cavities. There are a lot of rumors about fluoride, but don’t be fooled! The amounts in drinking water, toothpaste, and other oral care products are carefully regulated and always safe.
If you have a history of tooth decay, cavities, root canals, or crowns, your enamel may need some extra protection. In addition to fluoride treatments, we can also recommend a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouthwash to help protect your teeth from decay.
Schedule an Appointment
Do you want to protect your teeth from cavities? Ask us about getting a fluoride treatment at your next appointment. Our friendly dentists in Peoria, AZ, can help you make the best decisions for your oral health. Call Sunrise Dental today at 623-471-1714 to schedule your visit.