Over 80% of Americans, many of whom hail from Springfield, face at least one cavity by the age of 34. Poor oral hygiene, high sugar diet, acidic food, genetics, and various other reasons may damage your enamel and lead to dental cavities.
However, regular fluoride treatments can save your teeth from cavities and various associated problems. A family dentist in Springfield can provide you with regular fluoride treatment along with other preventive dental treatments to protect your teeth and gums. Let’s explore how fluoride treatment works.
What is fluoride treatment, and who needs it
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in water and various foods. Fluoride has the exceptional capabilities of preventing tooth decay by reversing the early decay symptoms and remineralizing the tooth enamel.
During fluoride treatment, the dentist or a dental hygienist will apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of foam, gel, or varnish. It’s a very brief procedure and takes only a few minutes but delivers very long-lasting and effective results by preserving your tooth enamel for several months.
The following can be a good candidate for a fluoride treatment.
- Children: Fluoride treatment can prevent problems like dental cavities and tooth decay in children. Since children don’t know how to brush or floss properly, they may be at a higher risk of developing dental cavities, which is why professionals recommend dental checkups every 6 months for children.
- Adults: Who have had a history of dental cavities may be at a higher risk of tooth decay and dental cavities, making fluoride treatment an ideal preventive solution for them. Depending on their condition, the dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment every 3, 6, or 12 months.
- People with orthodontic appliances: People with orthopedic appliances like braces, bridges, retainers, dentures, etc., may find it hard to brush properly, which puts them at a higher risk of tooth decay. Fluoride treatment can mitigate this risk.
- People with dry mouth: Certain medical conditions like diabetes and some medicines may cause dry mouth, making it difficult for food particles to wash away. It increases the acid levels in the mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride treatment can protect the teeth against this increased risk of decay.
Benefits of fluoride treatment
Fluoride treatment can reduce the risks of dental cavities by 25%, ensuring the following benefits for you.
- Remineralization and strengthening of tooth enamel.
- Reversing the symptoms of tooth decay in early stages.
- Reduces the pace of demineralization of tooth enamel.
- Preventing the growth of cavity-causing bacteria
- Reduces sensitivity in teeth.
Who should avoid fluoride treatment?
Despite having excellent benefits for dental health, some people should avoid fluoride treatment.
- If your water contains higher levels of fluorides, you should avoid fluoride treatment.
- If you are allergic to fluoride, a fluoride treatment may cause lesions in the mouth, headache, joint pain, and nausea.
- Children under six should not be allowed fluoride mouth rinses. However, you can allow fluoride toothpaste as recommended by the dentist. Usually, children up to age three should be given fluoride toothpaste the size of a rice grain, while children above three should use pea-sized amounts only.
Side effects of fluoride treatment
Fluoride treatment may have, although not serious, some side effects.
- Fluoride treatment can cause white spots on teeth.
- Some people may experience pitting and staining on teeth.
- Sometimes, fluoride treatment can affect bone homeostasis, the process of formation and absorption of bones.
- Excessive fluoride can cause denser but weaker bones.
- Fluoride overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and excessive sweating.
Final thoughts
Fluoride treatment can offer some exceptional benefits save your teeth from decay and reduce sensitivity by restoring the tooth enamel. However, you must consult a professional and experienced dentist for fluoride treatment, as fluoride overdose can lead to some unpleasant side effects.
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