How Long Does a Fluoride Treatment Last?
Your dentist or child’s pediatric dentist might have mentioned fluoride treatments during routine dental check-ups. Fluoride treatment is essential if you’re at great risk of developing or treating cavities.
Fluoride is a preventive dental treatment where the dentist applies fluoride to your teeth. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in your teeth. It’s also available in other substances like tap water, toothpaste, and certain foods like fish.
While everyone can be a good candidate for fluoride treatment, it’s for patients with:
- Medications or conditions that affect teeth’s ability to absorb the fluoride
- Highly sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
- Dental restorations like fillings, dentures, and crowns
- High sugar or starch diet
- Eating disorders or poor eating habits
- History of alcohol and tobacco abuse
- Excessive dry mouth
- Insufficient vitamin C
- Underlying oral conditions like cavities and gum disease
What to Expect during your Appointment
You can begin your treatment by scheduling an appointment with our dentist in 37919. Before giving you the treatment, the dentist will examine your mouth and medical history to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment.
Next, the dentist uses a swab, tray, or brush to apply a highly concentrated fluoride foam, gel, vanish, or rinse to the teeth. Fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than that water, toothpaste, and food.
According to the American Dental Association, you can get fluoride treatments every three, six, or 12 months. Similarly, it’s worth noting that the dentist uses different fluoride concentrations based on your age and needs. Below are the approved doses for people of different ages.
- 4 to 5mg for adolescents and adults
- 5 to 5 mg for children aged 7 – 10 years
- Up to 2.5gm for kids aged 4 – 6 years
- Up to 1.5gm for babies below three years
Please note that too much fluoride can be harmful. Excess fluoride is a common cause of fluorosis in children (a condition that causes discoloration on teeth).
How long does the treatment last?
After the treatment, the fluoride can sit on the teeth for about 4 to 6 hours. It is important to allow the fluoride to absorb into the teeth for long-term benefits. After that, the fluoride is brushed. After your treatment, our dentist in Knoxville will give you a few instructions that you must adhere to, including:
- Do not brush or floss for the next 4 – 6 hours
- Do not take hot foods or beverages
- Do not take alcoholic beverages
- Don’t chew hard, chewy, or crunchy foods in the next six hours
What is fluoride treatment used for?
Wondering how fluoride treatments can help you? There are two primary reasons to get regular fluoride treatments, including:
- It prevents cavities, decay, and gum disease.
One of the key benefits of fluoride treatments is to protect the teeth’ enamel from erosion. Harmful bacteria in the mount and acidic foods can erode your teeth’ enamel. It weakens your teeth significantly, making them vulnerable to fractures, sensitivity, and decay.
Fluoride treatment protects the teeth against these bacterial and acidic substances and prevents damage. Similarly, fluoride treatments help treat cavities and reduce the effects of enamel erosion, such as sensitivity.
Besides strengthening your teeth, fluoride treatments also help fight off harmful bacteria in the mouth. It significantly reduces your risk of gum disease and helps manage gum disease. Visit a dentist near you or contact our emergency dentist in Knoxville if you have a dental emergency.
- It remineralizes your teeth.
Over time, acids and bacterial attacks break down the structure and minerals of your teeth. Your teeth naturally contain minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphorous. The loss of these minerals is detrimental to your dental health.
Regular fluoride treatments restore these minerals into your teeth, also known as remineralization. It strengthens your tooth’s structure and restores your dental health.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Fluoride treatment is a natural, affordable, and effective way to strengthen your teeth and prevent oral problems such as decay, cavities, and gum disease. Visit our dental clinic in Knoxville or contact TCL Dental Care to schedule your next fluoride treatment appointment.