Advantages, Uses, and Side Effects of Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment for kids and adults has been in practice in dental health for decades. It has numerous benefits to your teeth, such as increased strength, preventing cavities, and fighting harmful bacteria that affect teeth and gums.

Fluoride treatment is available at any dental clinic office near you, including our Harbourview Dental clinic. What’s best is that this mineral naturally occurs in most food we eat and tap water. This way, your teeth are almost all-time protected.

Our dentists most likely recommend a fluoride treatment if you are at a high risk of dental caries (cavities). Cavities form when bacteria engorge on the surface of your teeth, forming plaque. This plaque gives out an acid that corrodes your gum tissue and teeth and may erode the enamel layer leading to cavities in your teeth. If left untreated, it could worsen tooth decay.

How Is Fluoride Administered to Your Teeth?

As mentioned above, fluoride is found in most food and drinking water. Fluoridated kinds of toothpaste and mouth rinses are also a great source of dental fluoride. These contain fluoride in minimal concentrates. Fluoride treatment dentists administer stronger concentrated doses during professional treatment.

Dentists also apply the mineral as fluoride foam treatments in the office. Other hospital alternatives are gel and fluoride varnish, which are applied directly to the teeth. These mediums have higher concentrations than in toothpaste and mouthwash.

For gel, it can be painted on the teeth or applied through a mouthguard. Foams are applied via a mouth guard, which is placed on your teeth for up to four minutes. Fluoride varnishes are exclusively painted on the teeth.

Fluoride liquids and tablets are also available but have to be prescribed by your doctor, pediatrician, or family dentist in Burlington.

What Are the Benefits of Fluoride and Its Treatment?

• Vital minerals like calcium and phosphate are better reabsorbed with fluoride usage. They repair and strengthen fragile tooth enamel.
• During tooth development, fluoride engorges into the tooth structure, strengthening them. It also makes them invulnerable to bacteria and the development of cavities.
• Fluoride treatment retards and reverses the formation of cavities by destroying harmful cavity-causing bacteria.

The above benefits have the following proceeding returns.

• There is a minimized risk of dental caries and decay
• Already forming cavities are stopped, and the process reversed. This leads to healthier teeth.
• Saves you the resource of time required for expensive dental procedures
• Milk baby teeth are made more durable to last longer
• Healthier and stronger teeth give you more confidence

Additional benefits of dental fluorosis treatment include:

• Prevention of periodontitis and other gum related infections
• Reduced toothaches
• You avert premature tooth loss

Situations When Fluoride Is Most Important

It’s critical for infants, children, and young adolescents aged 6 – 16 years to use fluoride supplements more. This is the age when deciduous teeth and permanent teeth develop, so they need strength and protection against bacterial damage.

Adults similarly need fluoride and its treatment to prevent decay and tooth loss.

Additionally, people with the following conditions need more fluoride intake to prevent severe dental disorders.

• Gum Disease – Gum diseases put your tooth roots and gums at the exposure of harmful bacteria. This increases the chances of tooth decay. It can, however, be reversed by a fluoride foam treatment
• Dry Mouth Illnesses – People with dry mouths either suffer from Sjogren’s syndrome or other medications. Head and neck radial treatment can also be a cause. Dry mouth makes the patient more vulnerable to tooth decay.
• Medical History of Cavities – Fluoride treatment might be your remedy if you are prone to frequent cavities every year.
• Presence of dental devices – Crowns, bridges, and dental braces increase your chances of decay. This occurs when the crown gets into contact with the internal tooth structure exposing it to bacteria.

Side Effects

Fluoride taken in high doses has the following side effects.

Tooth Discoloration

This is the most prevalent effect of fluorine intake and frequently occurs in children. Tooth discoloration follows a high intake of fluorine while baby teeth are still in development. Children who use too much-fluoridated kinds of toothpaste, excess fluoride supplements, or swallow toothpaste are the most affected.

Allergies

Although it’s rare, it’s possible for you to have an allergic reaction after a dental fluorosis treatment. Some people also feel some skin irritation after a fluoride intake.

Toxic Effects

It’s possible to experience toxicity effects after a high dosage or if you misapply the medication. Our emergency dentist in Burlington recommends you use specialized fluoride varnish for children under 6. Varnish is best for children since they have a tendency to swallow toothpaste, gel, and foam.