The Use Of Fluoride Treatment For Healthy Teeth

Doesn’t it feel great that there are dental treatments that can prevent caries and plaques from piling in the teeth? If caries and plaques continue to develop in the teeth and are not taken out or prevented, they can cause serious dental problems. This article will give you more understanding of fluoride treatments, their benefits, and their side effects. You will also be informed on what to do in case of these side effects occur.

Fluoride treatments also know as water fluoridation is a dental procedure that involves the use of dental equipment to give the teeth’ surface (enamel) protection and strength against germs and bacteria that could penetrate the teeth’ roots and gums that can damage the teeth.

You can find natural fluoride in water, plants, and food that we eat as well. Some people visit the mart to get toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other teeth supplements that have fluoride in them. However, it is a bad idea to make use of some fluoride-filled substance without consulting your dentist first. Getting a fluoride treatment from a dentist is of high quality compared to getting any type of fluoride treatment that is not recommended by your dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth and provide treatments that can be beneficial to your dental health. Note that you should inform your dentist about your medical history to confirm if fluoride treatment is suitable for you. Anyway, the dentist would ask you questions relating to your medical history. You just have to be sincere when providing your answers to get the best treatment. The procedure takes about 45 minutes. The dentist would apply the fluoride medications which can either be in form of a gel, solution, wax, or foam to the teeth. You would be advised to avoid foods and drinks for 30 minutes so that the teeth can absorb the fluoride properly. You can see a dentist near you or consult a dentist in Knoxville, TN for your fluoride treatments.

Children can begin their fluoride treatments at the dentist’s office as soon as they start to grow their first tooth. It would help prevent future dental problems like tooth decay, teeth ache, teeth loss, and other problems related to the dental structure. However, parents should not allow fluoride-filled toothpaste or mouthwash for their children if they are under the age of 1-2 years because it can be dangerous to the child’s dental health if it is mistakenly absorbed before the eruption of the adult teeth. Even if a child is to get fluoride treatment, the parents should take the child to a professional dentist in Knoxville, TN. The dentist will apply a fluoride medication that contains little amount of fluoride and can also protect the child’s tooth.

Can Adults Get Fluoride Treatments?

Most adults don’t always visit the dentist for fluoride treatments. Some of them believe that only children should visit the dentist for fluoride treatment to prevent bad teeth from a young age. However, this not true cause fluoride treatment can be used for both adults and children. According to Dr. Terrie Cribbs, “Fluoride treatments for adults are important and should be encouraged because as we grow older, dental issues might become worse and critical if we don’t prevent them from happening. Audits should visit the dentist for fluoride treatments to protect their teeth from gum disease, teeth loss, and other dental diseases that can cause serious problems in the dental health and overall health as well”.

The benefits of fluoride treatments are:

• Prevention of tooth decay from damaging the teeth
• Protection from future dental diseases that can cause issues medically and financially
• Strengthening and rebuilding of the enamel that might have been weakened by plagued in the teeth
• Prevention of gum disease caused by the accumulation of caries in the teeth

Are There Side Effects Related To Fluoride Treatments?

Though fluoride treatment is beneficial. However, some side effects could occur after fluoride treatment due to some factors. One of the side effects that a person could experience is Dental Fluorosis. This is common in children. This happens when excess fluoride is applied to the teeth when they are still in the process of teeth growth. Most children under the age of 8 who are still undergoing tooth growth could be more prone to dental fluorosis if they absorb excess fluoride. This will cause a white spot to stick on the enamel. To prevent this, parents should always supervise their children while they brush so that they don’t make use of fluoride-filled toothpaste by mistake.

Another side effect that is related to fluoride treatment is Skeletal Fluorosis. This has to do with the excess fluoride in the water that a person consumes. It can damage the bone structure over time. Other side effects related to excess intake of fluoride include diarrhea, fatigue, irritations, and even death. A person needs to be careful of the amount of fluoride that he or she consumes to prevent these side effects from occurring. Should in case you detect these side effects after receiving a fluoride treatment from a dentist or self-medication, you should see an emergency dentist in Knoxville.