Fluoride Treatment
Natick, MA
 Fluoride is a non-invasive and painless preventative dentistry treatment that is done to reduce your risk of cavities. At Elite Dental of Natick, Dr. Bethany Polnar, recommend the use of fluoride treatment to help protect and remineralize your teeth, ensuring a white and health smile.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help reverse the initial signs of tooth decay by remineralizing the enamel, the outer white layer of the tooth. We can take in fluoride in two different ways:
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Systemically: by using fluoridated water and taking fluoride supplements. Fluoride is also found in tea, infant formula, and fish.
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Topically: by applying fluoride directly to the teeth via toothpaste, mouthrinse, or fluoride treatment. |
How Much Fluoride Do You Need?
According to the American Dental Association , you should get a professional fluoride treatment every two, six, and 12 months, depending on the health of your teeth and your risk factors. We might also recommend a fluoride mouth rinse for you to use at home.
The best sources of fluoride are water, food, and supplements. The daily recommended amount of fluoride you should take for healthy teeth and body is:
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Birth to 3 years: 0.1 to 1.5 mg
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4 to 6 years: 1 to 2.5 mg
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7 to 10 years: 1.5 to 2.5 mg |
What Happens During a Fluoride Treatment?
At Elite Dental of Natick, Dr. Bethany Polnar and Dr. Polnar will complete your fluoride treatment within a few minutes. The fluoride is in the form of gel, varnish, or rinse and is placed on a brush, swab or tray.
If it is in a gel or rinse form, we will apply it with a brush or swab to your teeth in layers. If it is a gel, we will use a dental tray that will be placed on your teeth for a few minutes.
Once the treatment is completed, it is recommended you do not eat or drink anything for about 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to become absorbed by your teeth.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride helps to fortify weak tooth enamel by recovering the lost phosphates and calcium which are found naturally in our saliva. These minerals protect your teeth from future tooth decay.
Fluoride works by restoring the essential minerals to the enamel where bacterial acid may have caused tooth erosion. It also helps to protect against further cavities by slowing the growth of harmful bacteria. Although fluoride cannot eliminate tooth decay, it can give your teeth a stronger surface and can stop dental caries from reaching your dentin or tooth pulp.
Fluoride treatment is beneficial for people who struggle with tooth erosion or are at high risk of tooth decay. It is not solely limited to dentistry for kids; people often associate fluoride treatment as being just for young children. If you suffer from dry mouth, have poor oral hygiene, use alcohol or smoke excessively, have a poor diet, or have tooth enamel that is liable to chip, then you should ask Dr. Bethany Polnar whether fluoride treatment is a good option for you.
As is commonly known, fluoride treatment is very beneficial for children. The earlier a child is exposed to fluoride, the less chances they will have of developing cavities. However, keep in mind that only children older than two years of age can get fluoride treatment. The use of pea-sized fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children between the age of three and six years. Once they are done, it is important to ensure they spit out the toothpaste.
If you or your child are prone to developing cavities, it is important that you get an appointment with Dr. Bethany Polnar and have your teeth checked so that we can form a proper treatment plan for you, including the use of fluoride.
To schedule an appointment, call (508) 319-9339 today. |
