Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride Treatments
If you shrunk down to a microscopic level and could live on the surface of your teeth for a day, it’d be like trying to survive in a disaster movie. Your teeth chomping down on each other, acids and sugars wearing down at tiny layers of enamel – this churn happens constantly, and although our bodies produce the materials we need to regenerate after the damage, sometimes we still need a little help.
Here is where fluoride comes in. This neat mineral bonds with the foundational components of enamel to strengthen and protect your smile from the constant bombardment of cavity-inducing substances. At Hood Family Dentistry, we are proud to protect your teeth with our professional fluoride treatments in Seneca!
What Is Fluoride?
When people find out that we put fluoride in the water, they are often taken aback because they associate fluoride with something unnatural. These concerns are largely misinformed because fluoride is not some synthetic chemical created in a lab. Fluoride is an abundant, naturally occurring mineral that can be found throughout Earth’s crust.
Back in the 1930s, researchers made the observation that children that grew up drinking naturally fluoridated water tended to have less tooth decay or dental health issues than those who did not. Since then, the World Health Organization and American Medical Association have endorsed using fluoride in water supplies to improve the dental health of the population.
How Does Fluoride Work?
Your mouth naturally undergoes a mineralization and demineralization process. As bacteria, sugars, and acid settle on your teeth, they begin to eat away at the enamel. But your body can only produce so much calcium to stave off the erosion. Luckily, fluoride can bind with calcium to strengthen your teeth and mount a defense against decay.
Who Needs Fluoride Treatments?
Everyone who cares about their dental health can benefit from fluoride treatments in Seneca. For adults, these treatments are important because the calcium in our teeth can wear away over time. Children, on the other hand, are especially vulnerable to cavities, making fluoride treatments an essential component of good oral health.
What Happens if I Don’t Have Enough Fluoride?
Fluoride helps strengthen teeth, boost calcium production, and combat the progression of tooth decay. Essentially, fluoride helps your teeth regenerate quickly. If you don’t have enough fluoride, not only will you be more vulnerable to cavities, but when you get them, they will grow and spread much quicker.
What Happens During a Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatments are quick and simple. Dentists offer these treatments as either a concentrated rinse, foam, gel, or varnish applied directly onto your teeth. Fluoride treatments have a much higher concentration of fluoride than you will find anywhere else, so there will be a 30-minute window after the treatment in which you should avoid eating.
What are the Benefits of Fluoride Treatments?
- Re-mineralize your teeth
- Improve your overall oral health
- Protect your teeth from decay
Are You Looking for Fluoride Treatments in Seneca?
Hood Family Dentistry is here to keep your teeth healthy and protected from cavities. If you are ready to learn more about our professional fluoride treatments or want to book your appointment, get in touch today!