This article discusses the significance of fluoride in dental care.
Every day, your enamel, or the protective outer layer of your tooth, retrieves and loses minerals. This can happen because acids form from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in your mouth and attack your enamel. You gain minerals such as fluoride, phosphate, and calcium when you consume food and water that contain them. As a result, dental fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by reversing it. This article discusses the significance of fluoride in dental care.
Benefits of Fluoride in Dental Health
Fluoride strengthens your teeth and minimizes your risk of cavities by:
- Reversing early tooth decay
- Gaining minerals to protect your tooth enamel
- Slowing down the process of bacteria attacking your enamel
- Preventing the growth of bacteria that cause cavity
Types of Fluoride Used in Dentistry
You can purchase fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, but many foods and water contain it, too. You may also purchase low-strength fluoride mouthwash over the counter. However, more substantial concentrations in tablets or liquids require a healthcare provider’s prescription. An Annapolis Dental Care dentist may also apply fluoride to your teeth in the following ways:
- Dispense fluoride into a custom tray and place it over your teeth
- Varnish fluoride directly on your teeth
- Paint gel on your teeth or dispense in a custom tray
How Do Adults Benefit from Fluoride?
Adults can absolutely benefit from fluoride if they have:
- Dry mouth is a prevalent side effect of some healthcare conditions and other medications like allergy medications. Slow saliva production makes you more susceptible to oral problems like gum disease and cavities.
- Gum disease reveals your gums and teeth to bacteria, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
- Tooth decay history typically indicates that you would benefit from additional fluoride.
- Bridges, crowns, braces, or partial dentures can increase your risk of cavities, particularly around braces or where your crown connects to your tooth.
Fluoride is one of the best methods for strengthening enamel and minimizing the risk of cavities. Ask one of the dentists at Annapolis Dental Care for product recommendations and information on how often you should receive fluoride treatments.
Transform Your Smile with Annapolis Dental Care
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, your dentist in Annapolis is here to serve! Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. Please give us a call at 410-267-0766 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!