How to Keep Your Teeth Decay-Free Using Fluoride Treatment

Have you ever asked yourself why tap water has fluoride? For nearly 70 years now, Americans have been drinking tap water with fluoride. The whole idea was to try and curb the prevalence of tooth decay. In case you didn’t know, tooth decay is among the leading causes of tooth loss. Despite the government’s efforts, tooth decay is still a severe problem.

For this reason, our dentist in Knoxville, TN, Dr. Terrie Cribbs, offers dental exams and cleanings. Dental cleanings come with fluoride treatment. This way, you can give your pearly whites the protection they need to function as they should for a lifetime.

Fluoride Treatment, In a Nutshell

There is a high probability that you interact with fluoride each day, and you have no clue. Fluoride can be found in water and other foods that you indulge in every day. It is a natural mineral that helps fortify the outer covering of your teeth.

Your teeth undergo some form of wear on any given day, and you lose minerals when you eat food. This is normal since we ingest some acidic foods, like sugars, which attack the enamel. This is how you get tooth decay.

This is where fluoride comes in handy. It is the most effective agent there is that can help prevent decay by fortifying the enamel. It is also capable of turning back the time on your kid’s pearly whites when they have the early signs of tooth decay.

Fluoride can be more beneficial to people who are at a higher risk of developing tooth caries. Our dentist near you offers professional fluoride treatment at our dental clinic in Knoxville will contain a higher concentration than the fluoride in water and food. This means that it is more effective.

How Does Fluoride Work?

Each day a process known as demineralization takes place. This means that as you eat food, you will lose some minerals. This happens when bacteria produce acid to digest the food debris in your mouth.

So, fluoride has one main purpose;redepositing the lost minerals (remineralization) to your tooth’s outer covering. Fluoride can do this in two ways:

• Topical Fluoride

Immediately your teeth erupt, they get strengthened by seeping fluoride into the enamel, making it resistant to caries. Fluoride can do this by enhancing the absorption of other essential minerals such as calcium and phosphate.

When remineralization happens, fluoride will be incorporated into your teeth, making them resistant to decay. Topical fluoride can be found in products like mouthwashes, toothpaste, and gels.

• Systemic Fluoride

Teeth that are developing under the gums plus the erupted teeth are strengthened and nourished through systemic fluoride. You get this kind of fluoride from a supplement gel or tap water. However, this type of fluoride has a lower concentration than topical fluoride.

Systemic fluoride exists in oil reservoirs such as saliva, making it efficient in disrupting bacterial activity.

How Much Fluoride Is Good for You?

If you desire to get the best results, you will need to visit our dentist near you for fluoride treatment regularly, which can be every three, six, or twelve months. Also, you may be given gels that you can use at home if there is a higher chance of you getting dental caries.

Do You Need Fluoride Treatment?

Infants and children below 16 years will need fluoride because these are the years where their teeth are developing, and they are more prone to cavities. But, this doesn’t mean that adults don’t need fluoride treatment. Fluoride is essential at any age.

However, some people fall in the high-risk category. You can get caries if:

• You are suffering from dry mouth
• Your enamel is weak
• You have a poor diet
• You have an eating disorder
• You consume a lot of alcohol
• You have periodontitis
• You have dental restorations such as bridges and fillings
• You have poor dental hygiene

The Bottom Line

Fluoride treatment is not a luxury but a necessity if you desire to have a healthy smile. When you introduce it at an early stage to your children while their teeth are still developing, their teeth become less vulnerable to cavities later in life.

You can contact us if you need fluoride treatment, cleanings, or any other dental service. Also, if you need an emergency dentist in Knoxville, call us at TLC Dental Care to schedule an appointment.