Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is one of the many minerals that we consume on a daily basis in the foods we eat and the water we drink. Fluoride, along with other minerals, is essential for maintaining healthy teeth by forming a protective layer called enamel. Depending on the natural state of your enamel layer, your eating/drinking habits, as well as other factors, we may recommend a fluoride treatment plan.

Every day, our teeth undergo two related processes that involve the protective enamel layer: demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) when acids – formed when plaque bacteria eat sugars in our mouth – attack and weaken the enamel. Enamel is our body’s natural, protective sealant for our teeth. If that layer is completely broken down, cavities can form in the tooth.

We can counteract this loss of minerals by eating the right foods and drinking water that contains fluoride. However, each person is different and the required amount of fluoride to replace what is lost may not be achievable with current eating and drinking habits. If you fall under that category, we may recommend in-office fluoride treatments or fluoride-enriched toothpaste and mouthwash routine.

The benefits of fluoride use include reversed tooth decay, reduction in the number of cavities and extractions, reduced tooth sensitivity and pain associated with tooth decay, and boosted confidence and self-esteem from having a healthy smile.