Why the Best Dentist Will Recommend a Fluoride Treatment

As the best dentist in town for preventative care, we are focused on keeping our patients healthy and cavity free.  It is important to us that our patients can enjoy life without toothaches or gum disease.  With this in mind, we recommend coming in for a teeth cleaning twice a year so that we can remove plaque and bacteria in order to prevent common oral health problems.  During these appointments, we may recommend a fluoride treatment as an additional way to strengthen teeth.  In fact, we recommend this on at least an annual basis for children and teens.

Why we like fluoride -

Studies have shown that fluoride can reduce the risk of tooth decay (cavities) by 30 percent.  This is significant when you also consider what the Center for Disease Control had to say.  According to the CDC, tooth decay is the most frequently occurring infectious disease in children.  It causes them to miss school and experience the discomfort associated with a toothache.  Given our desire to see our patients healthy, a 30 percent decrease can be significant throughout a person's lifetime.

Where you can find it –

Look around you, and you are likely encountering some amount of fluorine.  It can be found in nature, in the air that you breathe, food you eat, and the dirt that you walk on.  While it is all around us, we don't absorb enough of it and need to obtain it through other means.  Given the desire to improve oral health, fluoride has been put into the public water supply of over 10,000 communities across the United States.  Additionally, you can receive a fluoride treatment in our dental office.  As the best dentist for preventative care, we place a fluoride varnish onto teeth and leave it there for around four minutes.  During that time, it will be absorbed into the enamel. Since fluoride doesn't have a particular smell or taste, this is comfortable even for small children.  You can also purchase a fluoride toothpaste and use it two to three times per day in order to strengthen your teeth.  The results are not as significant as drinking fluoridated water or having a professional treatment, but toothpaste is helpful.

How it helps you –

As you age, teeth naturally start the process of demineralization.  This is where the enamel on the outside of the tooth starts to weaken and even erode.  As it does, the teeth become more susceptible to tooth decay and sensitivity.  In order to fight demineralization, you must remineralize your teeth.  This can be done using fluoride.  When it is placed onto your teeth or drunk, fluoride can reduce your risk of cavities and does so be making the enamel stronger so that the body can fight off infection.  Simultaneously, fluoride can even reverse the effects of preliminary tooth decay, making it the perfect accompaniment to your daily oral hygiene routine.
If you are looking to keep your teeth healthy and strong, call our office to speak with the best dentist in town.

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