What You Need to Know About Fluoride Treatment

What You Need to Know About Fluoride Treatment

May 01, 2021

Dentistry consists of many treatments, many of which people are unaware of. Dental health is not only useful when you have an oral emergency. The whole reason why preventive dentistry exists is so that there is a provision for services like fluoride treatments in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, which are beneficial for excellent oral health.

If you are not a regular at the dental clinic near you, then you may not understand why services like fluoride treatments are necessary for good oral health. These are services only offered in preventive dentistry, which benefits the patients who heed routine dental visits.

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

It is a treatment in preventive dentistry that is concerned with the use of fluoride varnish to boost the oral health of patients. The primary purpose of fluoride varnish is to boost the strength of teeth and help in preventing dental cavities and tooth decay.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in the foods we consume every day. It is plenty in boiled fish, water, among other foods. However, absorbing it from foods is not sufficient to keep your teeth strong and healthy. The fluoride treatment is used to boost the amount of fluoride that your teeth absorb, strengthening the enamel thereof.

How Is the Treatment Applied?

The application procedure of the fluoride varnish is quick and easy. It involves the following steps:

  1. Cleaning – the dentist cleans your teeth thoroughly before applying the varnish. The cleaning is important to ensure that the varnish does not lock the bacteria on your teeth, defeating the purpose of the treatment.
  2. Application – the varnish is smeared on the surfaces of teeth with a small toothbrush or a cotton swab. The concentration of fluoride in the varnish is slightly higher than what is typically present in fluoride toothpaste. The process is pain-free. Once the sticky varnish is applied to your teeth, it starts to harden when it gets into contact with saliva. After the treatment, your dentist will ask you not to eat anything for about 30 minutes or so. This allows the fluoride to be fully absorbed by your teeth. After that, you can eat. However, you will have to avoid brushing or flossing your teeth for up to 6 hours or so after your treatment.

Important Facts to Know

Unlike many dental procedures, fluoride treatments are quick and easy to perform. In under 45 minutes, you should be done with your treatment and be ready to go.

  1. It is common for pediatric dentistry – a dentist in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, will tell you that fluoride treatment is commonly used in pediatric dentistry for children. Children are very prone to cavities between the ages of 6 and 14 years. However, this fact does not mean that fluoride treatment cannot be used by adults. If anything, you should get fluoride treatment every time you get a professional dental cleaning procedure for your oral cavity.
  2. Sedation is not necessary – no pain or invasive techniques are involved in the fluoride treatment. Therefore, there is no need to use local anesthesia for numbing, or even sedative medications to keep you calm.
  3. The treatment does not treat dental decay – if your teeth are already decayed, fluoride treatment does not work as a treatment for you. Usually, when you go in for fluoride treatment, your dentist checks your teeth for cavities and any signs of dental decay. The treatment works on healthy teeth to protect them from dental cavities, as opposed to acting as a treatment for dental decay.
  4. Too much fluoride is bad for teeth – this is why it is important to get the treatment done by a dental expert. The fluoride element is only healthy for your teeth when used in moderation.
  5. Fluoride treatment is not an excuse for poor oral hygiene – even after your treatment, you must still be intentional about practicing proper oral hygiene. If you allow plaque to form and set on your teeth, the fluoride material will not do much to protect your teeth from bacteria that cause infections. While you may not get cavities easily, you may get gum disease and other infections in your mouth.

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