What is Fluoride Treatment, Its Process, Benefits & Aftercare Tips

Tooth cavities cause severe oral health issues, including dental pulp infections and tooth loss. Therefore, individuals of all ages should avoid the development of caries. You can do this by maintaining proper oral hygiene and getting fluoride treatments. Read on to learn how fluoride treatment prevents dental cavities.

What is Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride is an element that naturally occurs in water, soil, and foods. It helps to strengthen your enamel and prevent teeth from decaying. However, the amount of fluoride you receive through water or foods is inadequate for cavity prevention. Therefore, the dentist will prescribe or provide toothpaste, gels, or supplements full of fluoride at least twice a year.

Why Do You Need a Fluoride Treatment?

Your mouth contains bacteria that break down carbs and sugar from food left in your mouth. As a result, they produce acids and plaque, which coat the teeth and destroy the enamel. The enamel loses vital minerals leaving the tooth vulnerable to decay and cavities. Below are some reasons you need fluoride treatment.

• Fluoride restores the lost minerals to the enamel and strengthens the tooth.
• It makes the teeth resistant to attacks from plaque and acids. Also, it slows down demineralization.
• The treatment helps to reverse early signs of tooth decay.
• It helps to prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria
• The therapy helps to reduce tooth sensitivity

What are the Benefits of Getting a Fluoride Treatment?

Here are a few advantages of getting fluoride treatment:

1. Fluoride is a safe natural preventative against tooth decay and cavities. It is suitable for patients of all ages, including babies and infants.
2. The procedure is fast, straightforward, and pain-free, with minimal side effects.
3. The process is easy and does not require special dental equipment. Therefore, it can be performed by all dental professionals.
4. The treatments save you money and time down the road. They prevent severe oral health problems caused by dental decay.
5. The only side effect of the treatment is temporary tooth sensitivity.

What is the Step-By-Step Fluoride Treatment Procedure?

A fluoride treatment procedure is nothing to be anxious about. You do not need any anesthesia, and only patients with dental phobia need sedation. Below are some steps you can expect when having a fluoride treatment by our dentist in Pflugerville, TX.

• First, the dentist will perform an oral assessment. They will examine your skin on the face, mouth, inner cheeks, and tongue. During the exams, they look for swelling, lesions, or inflammation. If no issues are found, the dentist will proceed.

  Also, they check for signs of tooth cavities or infections. If you have a deep hole or exposed tooth pulp, they will not perform the procedure.

• Next, the dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and mouth. They will scrap off any plaque and tartar on teeth, tongue, and along the gum line.
• Next, they will dry your teeth surfaces with a dry cloth or cotton gauze.
• After that, they will apply the fluoride, a form of a gel or foam, to all the surfaces of your teeth using a small brush. The dentist may apply the gel to a dental tray and put it on your teeth for some minutes.
• The fluoride varnish will dry upon contact with saliva forming a sticky yellowish covering.

What are the Aftercare Tips for Fluoride Treatment?

Our Pflugerville dentist will provide special post-application instructions to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness. They will also help alleviate side effects like tooth sensitivity. Some of them are:

1. Following fluoride application, you should not drink or eat for the next 30 minutes. Doing so can clear the fluoride before they are absorbed into the teeth making the treatment ineffective.
2. Once you start eating, consume only soft foods for the rest of the day. Avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods because they may damage your enamel.
3. Also, avoid hot or citrusy beverages and foods since your teeth are more prone to sensitivity.
4. Do not brush your teeth until after six hours. This gives time for the fluoride to set.
5. Avoid fluoride supplements for at least two days after fluoride application. Using them earlier can cause adverse side effects.

Get Fluoride Treatment Near You

Fluoride treatments are crucial in preventing decay and maintaining proper oral health. If you are considering getting fluoride treatment near Windemere, schedule an appointment with The Grand Family Dental today to get fluoride treatment in Pflugerville, TX!