Found naturally in water and certain kinds of foods, fluoride is highly effective in strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay. Patients at a high risk of experiencing tooth decay often benefit from supplemental fluoride applications.
Fluoride provides two major benefits for teeth:
- Fluoride attaches to tooth enamel and strengthens teeth
- Fluoride remineralizes damaged tooth enamel, reversing the early effects of tooth decay
A standard fluoride application involves a simple process that can be completed in just one visit to our practice, often alongside a complete dental checkup. After the treatment, the patient should make sure that they don’t eat or drink anything for at least one hour after the procedure so that the fluoride can be fully absorbed by their teeth.
Fluoride applications are provided for many reasons, including:
- Protecting tooth roots
- Preventing tooth decay
- Inadequate oral hygiene
- Limited access to fluoride
- Excessive intake of sugar
- Prior history of tooth decay
- Limited flow of saliva
While supplemental fluoride applications can provide many benefits, they should not be used as a replacement for good oral hygiene.
If you would like to learn more about how fluoride applications can benefit your teeth, please call us at (262) 288-0678 to schedule an appointment.