When considering a fluoride treatment for you or your family it would be natural for you to believe that topical fluorides available from the market are suitable for everyone and decide upon them possibly to avoid a visit to the dental office. You may be fearful of the dentist or even be trying to avoid the additional expenditure of visiting the dental office for a simple requirement like fluoride treatment. Regardless of your reasons, it must be mentioned that you must not avoid this treatment that can help to prevent dental caries and can protect the teeth from dental caries in the early microscopic stages.
Fluoride treatments are suggested for everyone by the ADA which has clarified that tooth decay caused by acid-producing bacteria that accumulate around the teeth and the gums in a sticky and clear film called plaque can make the teeth vulnerable to caries without proper daily oral hygiene habits. Regular dental exams and cleanings are also recommended by the ADA to maintain the teeth in a healthy condition.
Why Professional Fluoride Treatments Should Be Preferred?
Fluoride will be available to people in different ways with the ADA and the CDC recommending the trace amounts of fluoride also be present drinking water. Topical fluorides that can be applied directly to the teeth enamel are also available in the form of toothpaste and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides such as the ones that are swallowed can also be recommended by the dentist if needed. The best results against dental caries are achieved when the treatments are available both in systemic and topical varieties.
Dentists are providing in-office fluoride treatment for kids for decades as well as for patients that are at higher risk of developing dental caries. If you or a member of the family is at moderate or higher risk of developing caries you can request your dentist fluoride treatment for adults because it can save you a significant sum of money from unwanted dental work. The fluoride prepared in the dentist’s office has a higher concentration than what is found in toothpaste, mouth rinses or other products available at a store or a pharmacy. The concentration of the fluoride should encourage you to consider obtaining the treatment from the dental professional for its effectiveness.
The Duration of a Professional Fluoride Treatment
A professional fluoride treatment will be completed by the dentist in just a few minutes. The fluoride applied to the teeth could be in the form of a solution, gel, varnish or foam. The dentist will use a brush or a cotton swab for the application. It may also be provided in a tray to be held in the mouth for several minutes.
After the application, you will not be allowed to have any food or beverages for at least half-an-hour to allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride for maximum effectiveness. You could be recommended fluoride treatments every three, six, or 12 months depending on the status of your oral health. Additional measures to prevent the incidence of dental caries may also be recommended by your dentist after considering your risks for developing this condition.
Factors That Increase the Risks of Dental Caries among People
People can develop dental caries for many reasons some of which include:
- Active caries
- Poor oral hygiene
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Lack of professional dental care regularly
- Ongoing orthodontic treatment coupled with poor oral hygiene
- Higher levels of caries causing bacteria in the mouth
- Reduction in salivary flow leading to a dry mouth
- Exposed root surfaces of the teeth
- Poor diet
- Existing restorations in the teeth including fillings
- Defects in the tooth enamel
- Undergoing radiation therapy to the head or the neck
Getting Professional Fluoride Treatments Provides More Benefits Than Over-The-Counter Products
As mentioned earlier the potency of fluoride in products available over-the-counter is not strong at the potency of the treatments provided by the dentist. The application procedure is simple and can be completed in 30 minutes or one hour leaving your teeth with a protective barrier against dental caries that will last for quite some time. Dentists will not be using any tools to drill around your teeth or probe in your mouth the application and therefore even the fear of the dentist shouldn’t keep you away from having the fluoride treatments you need from a professional dentist.