Cavities are one of the most common oral health problems across the globe. It’s likely that most, if not everybody, you know has had a cavity at some point in their life. Although they may seem unstoppable, this oral health problem is preventable with good at-home and professional oral hygiene practices and preventive measures, like fluoride treatment in Superior. At your next six-month cleaning, our team may recommend a fluoride treatment. Read below to learn more about it and how it can help protect your teeth.
Fluoride is a mineral that’s actually found throughout nature and produced by rocks. It’s in fresh fruits and vegetables, soil, and the air, but most people are familiar with it because it’s in virtually all ADA-approved dental hygiene products. It’s best known for its enamel-strengthening properties, though.
Enamel is made from calcium and phosphate ions, which combine to form hydroxyapatite, or the structure that makes up 95% of your dental enamel. However, these ions don’t just attract to the teeth on their own – they need fluoride to help them with that! So, fluoride helps protect and fortify the outermost protective layer of teeth by attracting key minerals that strengthen the enamel, helping prevent cavities.
Fluoride treatment is fast, 100% pain-free, and requires nothing from you but a commitment after your bi-annual dental cleaning with your hygienist! This treatment is excellent for patients of all ages, too. Our team will recommend it, and if you consent, we will place a fluoride gel onto the surface of your teeth that will begin working to attract enamel strengthening minerals immediately.
At Hill Avenue Dental, we recommend fluoride treatment for patients of all ages, but it’s especially beneficial for those who:
This is because these patients are at a higher risk of experiencing dental decay, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
