Benefits, Side Effects, and Recommendations of Fluoride Treatment

Instead of going to the dentist to face the drill, it would be easier to go in for a fast and painless treatment that prevents cavities. When coming for the treatment, ask our dentist in 07960 about fluoride treatment for your teeth to help remineralize and protect your enamel. This helps reduce the likelihood of cavities.

Although children are at more risk of cavities, tooth decay in adults has increased. This is because as people grow older, their teeth become vulnerable to the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Receiving a fluoride treatment from your dentist is one of the easiest ways to prevent cavities. That sounds like something to smile about, right? Learn more about fluoride treatment, its benefits, side effects, and recommendations.

What is Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatments are professional treatments that contain a high concentration of fluoride. Your hygienist or dentist applies this fluoride to your teeth, helping reduce cavities and improving your oral health. These in-office treatments take the form of gel, solution, varnish, or foam.

Also, there are high-concentration treatments that people can use at home. But this happens under the specific direction of a dentist only.

The fluoride used in these treatments by the dentists is similar to one in toothpaste. However, in-office medicines contain higher doses and offer more immediate benefits.

Are Fluoride Treatments Worth It, or What are the Benefits?

When you get fluoride treatments near you, you’re offered several benefits for your teeth:

• It reverses the development of cavities by harming bacteria that cause decay.
• It strengthens the enamel of the teeth joining the structure of your teeth when they are developing. This makes them less vulnerable to bacteria and cavities for life.
• It helps your body use minerals such as phosphate and calcium better. Your teeth reabsorb these minerals and repair weak tooth enamel.

These benefits help to:

• Prolongs the life of baby teeth
• They reduce the risk of cavities
• Delay the need for expensive dental work
• They slow the growth of cavities
• Reduce the amount of money and time a person has to spend at the dentist

By slowing the growth of bacteria and preventing cavities, fluoride treatment also:

• Reduce your tooth pain
• It helps prevent gum disease
• Prevent the premature loss of teeth.

Side Effects of Fluoride

Some health advocates have shown concern about fluoride at high doses. They urge that fluoride is not safe for children, and fluoridated water could also be dangerous.

After the treatment, some people may experience side effects, including:

Tooth Discoloration

Fluorosis is a condition that causes white streaks and other discoloration of one’s teeth. Fluorosis happens when a child ingests a lot of fluorides while their baby teeth are still developing under their gums.

The discoloration is most common among young children that take too much fluoride either through swallowing toothpaste or taking fluoride supplements.

Allergies or Irritation

A person may experience skin irritation or have an allergic reaction to fluoride. However, these reactions are rare.

Toxic Effects

Fluoride can be toxic when applied at very high doses or incorrectly. However, this’s unusual. It’s recommended to use fluoride varnish on children under six years. Fluoride varnish is preferred for younger children since they tend to swallow gels or foams, which causes vomiting or nausea.

Fluoride Treatment Recommendations

Our Dental Care at Morristown recommends frequent exposure to a small amount o fluoride daily to help in reducing the risk of cavities in all ages.

This means brushing their teeth twice daily with toothpaste containing fluoride for many people. Or drinking tap water with optimal fluoride levels. Professional fluoride treatments may offer extra benefits for adults and children at higher risk of cavities.

Children

Fluoride treatment is recommended for children as soon as they grow their teeth. This’s to prevent pain, decay, or future dental infections.

Dentists should repeat fluoride treatment every three to six months, depending on your child’s risk of cavities.

To reduce the risk of fluoride overexposure, our dentists recommend:

• Always supervise your child when brushing to ensure they use the right toothpaste.

Adults

When it comes to adults, fluoride recommendations vary. There is a range of doses, concentrations, and frequencies of treatment.

Professional fluoride treatment may help if you are at a moderate-to-high risk of developing tooth decay. You should also get fluoride treatments twice a year.