Vann Family Dental offers many treatments to help keep your whole mouth clean and healthy. One of the most common ways to keep teeth strong and prevent tooth decay is fluoride treatments. While using a fluoride rinse is common during a child’s regular teeth cleaning, many adults may not understand the importance of having a fluoride treatment themselves. 

What is Fluoride?

• Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and in water. Fluoride is a key substance in protecting your tooth enamel from the harmful effects of plaque, bacteria, and sugar. If you are at a high risk for tooth decay, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment to restore vital minerals to the enamel of your teeth. 

Fluoride Treatments Will Benefit You if You Have…

Many people have different conditions that would benefit from the use of a fluoride treatment . These include: 

• Gum Disease: Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease. When a person has gum disease their teeth and roots are more exposed to the bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Additional fluoride treatments can help reduce their risks of cavities and tooth loss. 
• Dry Mouth: Dry mouth can be caused by many different factors including certain medications, radiation treatments, or various diseases. Dry mouth can cause an increased rate of tooth decay, because a person lacks the necessary saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize acids. Extra fluoride treatments can combat these negative effects by keeping the enamel strong and more resistant to these substances. 
• Bridges, Crowns, Braces: If you have any of the aforementioned in your mouth, you are at a greater chance for tooth decay. Because food can get trapped in and around these treatments, it is more likely to miss it when brushing and flossing. Fluoride treatments can help make your teeth stronger, and reduce the amount of possible cavities. 

If you are concerned about your oral health and would like to set up an appointment for a fluoride treatment, contact us today!