How Fluoride Is Used in Preventive Dentistry

Preventive Dentist San Antonio, TX

Fluoride is an all-around defense for your teeth, gums, and whole mouth. This is why many towns add the mineral to drinking water as a matter of public health. Dentists also use fluoride treatments to protect their patients’ teeth from tooth decay.

Read on for a brief walkthrough of how fluoride protects the teeth at a chemical level. The article also goes over how dentists can use fluoride treatment during routine dental visits.

How fluoride protects the teeth

Fluoride forms a protective film that covers tooth enamel. This film keeps the enamel healthy in the following ways:

  • Fluoride pulls calcium from saliva and bonds it onto the enamel, which strengthens the teeth
  • It prevents calcium and phosphorous from leeching off the enamel
  • It improves the chemical composition of the enamel, which makes the tooth surface more resistant to acid
  • It kills off harmful bacteria in the mouth, which goes a long way toward preventing tooth decay

These are a few ways that fluoride prevents cavities and tooth decay. Dentists will advise their patients to take in small amounts of fluoride through their water. People who live in areas with low fluoride levels in water should seek out food sources or supplements that contain the mineral.

This is doubly important for children whose permanent teeth have yet to erupt. They need enough fluoride to ensure that their permanent teeth emerge healthy and strong. These are a few of the reasons that fluoride remains a fixture in preventative dentistry. Here is how a dentist uses fluoride to benefit their patients.

Routine dental visits and preventative dentistry

Checkups enable dentists to keep tabs on their patients' oral health. For children, routine dental checks involve charting the growth and development of the entire oral cavity. These exams can detect dental issues in their earliest stages. Catching an oral health problem before it worsens means the dentist may only perform corrective treatments that are minor and non-intrusive.

The second stage of a routine dental visit is professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque buildup. This procedure removes the staging grounds that bacteria use to infect the teeth and gums.

Dentists complete a teeth cleaning by applying a coat of fluoride on all the teeth and sometimes, dental sealant on the molars. These two treatments form a protective barrier that lasts long after the patient leaves the dentist’s office. 

It is worth mentioning that the fluoride treatment does not eliminate the need for fluoride toothpaste. Patients with a history of dental issues may also be recommended to use a fluoride rinse every once in a while.

Frequently asked questions about fluoride

Here are the answers to frequently asked inquiries about fluoride and the battle against tooth decay.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral found in many places, including the teeth. It is also added to many public water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. When fluoride is combined with the minerals in the teeth, it becomes harder for acids to attack and damage teeth enamel. Fluoride can even help reverse the demineralization stage of tooth decay.

How does it work?

Fluoride makes teeth more impervious to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. It also promotes remineralization, which helps repair early signs of tooth decay.

Is it safe?

Yes, fluoride is safe when used as directed. In fact, it is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.

How much fluoride do I need?

The amount of fluoride that a patient needs depends on their age and whether they have a history of tooth decay. Children up to age three should use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing, while grown-ups should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice daily. If a patient is not sure if they are getting enough fluoride, they should talk to their dentist or healthcare provider.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effect of using too much fluoride is dental fluorosis. This condition causes white spots or streaks to form on the teeth. Dental fluorosis is generally only a cosmetic issue and does not affect the tooth's health. In rare cases, excessive fluoride intake can lead to bone problems. 

You can benefit from a proactive approach to your dental health

Get in touch to schedule a routine dental checkup with our dentist. The checkup will cover an extensive dental exam, professional teeth cleaning, and fluoride treatment. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.allsmilesdentalcenter.com or call All Smiles Dental Center at (210) 714-7429 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.

Recent Posts

Preventative Dental Care For Avoiding Tooth Loss

Preventative dental care such as visiting the dentist is a huge cause of anxiety and stress in many patients. The thought of being in the examination chair and hearing the tools and possible irritation of your teeth and gums can be quite upsetting. However, going to the dentist regularly will eliminate those concerns as you…

Preventative Dental Care - Guide To Dental Cleaning Visits

Part of preventative dental care is not only regularly maintaining your dental routine at home but also visiting your dentist twice a year. During this visit, they will look at the condition of your teeth and gums. Things they look out for are any sensitivities, bleeding, soft spots, or areas where bacteria are more likely…

Why These Preventative Dental Care Habits Are So Important

Preventative dental care is significant because the dentist can quickly detect, diagnose, and treat dental problems in the first stage. Even if the dental problem is not noticeable, the dentist can do a simple examination to find signs of dental disease.Once it becomes more serious dental disease, it may not heal naturally. In addition, repeated…

Preventative Dental Care For Dental Enamel Health

Tooth enamel protects your teeth from harmful pressure, which means ensuring it is in great shape should be a routine in your preventative dental care. If not properly taken care of, the enamel can erode and make your teeth more susceptible to things like breaking, cracking, or chipping. Ultimately, this can be very painful and…

Recent Posts

What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Implant?

What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Implant?

Studies show that dental implants remain the gold standard in dental restorations. These dental replacements are the most stable ones that you can get. It may be invasive, but once it heals well, you will have good dental function again. Here are the details about the process of getting dental implants.The dentist will examine the…

How Dental Implants Support Oral Health

How Dental Implants Support Oral Health

Dental implants are a leading choice for many patients when it comes to tooth replacement. Patients like the idea of a tooth replacement option resembling natural teeth. Dental implants look natural and perform like a permanent natural tooth. Therefore, there is no need to take the tooth replacement out daily for cleaning or worry about…