Fluoride Treatment
Cavities are one of the most common dental issues. While usually associated with children, they can affect anyone of any age. A vast majority of adults have developed at least one cavity in their permanent teeth in their lifetime. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits are essential for helping to prevent the formation of tooth decay and cavities. For many individuals, these habits are enough to keep the teeth healthy. There are some individuals, however, who are more prone to cavities than others. LakeView Dental Arts can help to protect the teeth with fluoride treatments. Am I at Risk for Cavities?While tooth decay and cavities can impact anyone, there are several factors that can increase your risk. These factors include
Fortunately, at LakeView Dental Arts we are able to recommend some products and habits to help protect and counteract the above risk factors. What is Fluoride?Fluoride is an element that occurs naturally in your teeth, much like calcium and phosphate, and is essential for their strength. However, a natural process called demineralization causes fluoride and other minerals to be removed from your teeth. Fortunately, remineralization can help to restore fluoride and other minerals, which helps to keep your teeth healthy and strong. As long as the same amount of fluoride is being replaced as the amount that is being lost, your teeth remain healthy. It is when you are losing more fluoride than you are replacing that decay begins to develop. The Importance of FluorideFluoride is an essential element for the strength of your teeth. It aids in protecting your tooth enamel from the acid attacks of plaque and bacteria, as well as acidic foods and beverages. Fluoride aids in preventing acid erosion, which helps to prevent the formation of decay and cavities. In cases where decay has not yet turned into a cavity, fluoride can even be used to reverse the decay and restore the strength of the teeth. Protecting Your Teeth with Fluoride TreatmentsYou can find fluoride in treated tap water as well as in trace amounts in certain foods. There is also a wide array of fluoridated oral care products to help protect your teeth. When these sources are not enough, such as if you are at high risk for cavities of if you frequently get cavities, we can provide fluoride treatments to help prevent caries lesions. These treatments are quick, simple, and painless. After a dental cleaning, we paint a fluoride varnish to the surfaces of your teeth. The fluoride in the gel absorbs directly into your enamel, where it immediately goes to work strengthening your enamel. That is all there is to the treatment! We do recommend, however, that you avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes following the application of your treatment. This helps to ensure optimal results from your treatments. Schedule Your AppointmentFluoride is an essential element in protecting your teeth from the development of tooth decay and cavities. If you are prone to cavities, fluoride treatment can help to provide you with additional protection. Call LakeView Dental Arts today at (865) 248-2199 for more information and to find out if fluoride treatments are right for you. |
