Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a mineral found in nature that helps strengthen teeth and protects them against cavities caused by dental decay. Decaying teeth occurs when sugars in food and drink combine with bacteria in the mouth to form a sticky coating on the teeth, such as plaque and plaque acids. If plaque and acids are not eliminated from your teeth as soon as possible, they will likely cause damage to your teeth. Plaque acids eat away at the tooth’s outermost layer, revealing the softer inner parts, which are more vulnerable and can inflict discomfort. If left untreated, decay will gradually reach the pulp, which is the innermost portion of the tooth and contains the roots. If the roots get infected with decay and bacteria, they will be unable to supply the necessary blood and nutrients to the tooth, resulting in the tooth-rotting and falling out or needing extraction.
When used at least twice a year, fluoride treatments have been found to be particularly beneficial in providing extra protection against tooth decay. As a result, several dentists now have fluoride injections in addition to the routine six-month dental check-ups. It is particularly recommended for patients who are more likely to develop cavities.
Several types of people are most likely to develop oral cavities, which might benefit significantly from fluoride treatment. These include the following individuals:
- with poor oral hygiene
- who use drugs or drink alcohol to excess
- with a particularly poor diet
- who have weakened dental enamel
- who suffer from dry mouth
- who haven’t seen a dentist in a long time
There’s no need to be concerned about receiving fluoride treatment because it is entirely painless. Fluoride medication is usually provided in the form of a rinse, foam, gel, or varnish. The fluoride concentration in these treatments is much greater than what you can get from your toothpaste or mouthwash alone. The type of fluoride application the type of fluoride can determine your dentist uses are having. The varnish, for example, can be applied with a brush, but if you use a rinse, it would almost certainly be provided as a mouthwash. The whole procedure typically takes just a few minutes, and you can leave as soon as it’s done. When you come in for your appointment, our dentist will tell you that you must wait at least 30 minutes after your appointment to eat or drink something. This will keep the fluoride from washing away and ensuring that your teeth benefit entirely from the treatment.
In addition to receiving routine fluoride treatments on a timeline established by our dental team, certain foods and beverages contain increased fluoride levels and could help you out in the long run. Here are a few of the foods:
- water
- tea
- food that has been cooked in water (water bath, boiling, etc.)
- fish eaten with their bones
- seedless raisins
- shrimp
- grape juice
Get in touch with our office today to schedule your next dentist appointment and to receive the best fluoride treatment in Long Beach.
