At Caring Family Dentistry, it’s all in the name! We care about each family member regarding your dental services, and that ranges from the little ones to the grandparents! Also, our services don’t just begin when you step into the office. We love to be able to keep our fantastic patients informed on the topics that matter to them, namely how best to get and maintain a perfect, healthy smile!
Today, want to talk specifically about how the adults in your family can effectively care for their teeth. Of course, establishing a solid dental hygiene foundation will always be first and foremost. This entails regular brushing and flossing, maintaining a nutritious diet, and adhering to your dentist’s recommendations.
Once we’ve got that straight, we can talk about some incredible ways to supplement that foundation. This is where adult fluoride treatments come into play!
If your child has visited our practice, it is likely that they have already received pediatric fluoride treatments, as recommended by the American Dental Association for all pediatric patients.
But did you know that adult fluoride treatments can often be just as advantageous for the grown members of the household?
Specifically, they can significantly strengthen your teeth and even reverse early-stage enamel loss and tooth decay. It’s a remarkable reality! Read on to learn more about five facts about adult fluoride treatment.
Before We Start, What Is Flouride?
Great question! Flouride is a naturally-occurring mineral found in many foods we eat daily. Fluoride has a ton of health benefits. In particular, it does a really great job of strengthening the enamel of our teeth. That’s why, way back in 1945, we first began experimenting with adding fluoride to tap water, and by 1951, it had become an official policy of the United States Public Health Service.
So, If I Already Ingest Flouride, Why Get Treatment?
Another great question! So it turns out that, in some cases, adults can benefit from concentrated flouride treatments. This is what’s known as a topical flouride treatment, and it differs from the flouride we get every day from our tap water and foods in the concentration. Namely, topical treatments deliver much more flouride per application. This comes in handy because many adults can benefit from this increased dosage, which they would otherwise never receive in such high quantities and in such a directed manner. So there’s fact #1 – topical fluoride treatments can benefit adults.
The Benefits of Topical Adult Flouride Treatment
Ok, we’ve established that it can benefit adults to receive topical flouride treatments. Now let’s talk about how. Namely, if you have a high cavity risk and/or sensitivity, have a high sugar/acidic diet, lack regular dental care, are taking specific medications/dry mouth, or have active decay in the mouth, the sort of concentrated fluoride treatment only available at your dentist’s can have a really significant impact due to the prophylactic benefits of the treatment. So there’s fact #2 – flouride treatments can benefit adults at high risk for cavities by preventing decay.
So How Does it Work? Does it Hurt?
Definitely not! Flouride treatment is quick, easy, and completely painless, usually being over and done within about thirty minutes. So there’s fact #3 – adult fluoride treatments are simple and painless to perform.
During your treatment, Dr. Todd, Dr. Adam, or Dr. Alicia will apply a gel, foam, or varnish-concentrated solution to the outside of your teeth. The fluoride will then quickly bond with the enamel of your teeth, providing substantial long-lasting benefits.
Your procedure will require minimal preparation. All you need to remember is that it’s best to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes to an hour beforehand. This is important since, for the fluoride to bond with the enamel of your teeth properly, it must have a clean surface to adhere to. Dr. Todd, Dr. Adam, or Dr. Alicia may also make additional recommendations, but these will be minimal, if any. Adult fluoride treatment is about as simple as any medical procedure can be!
So, I’ve Gotten My Treatment. Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve just had a procedure that will work as part of a well-rounded dental hygiene plan to reduce your risk for cavities and tooth decay drastically! You’ve added an extra layer of protection to your teeth, particularly in hard-to-reach areas or those with weakened enamel due to diet or trauma. So there’s fact #4 – adult fluoride treatment can be a vital addition to a well-rounded dental hygiene program.
Can Flouride Repair Pre-existing Tooth Damage?
Yes, it can! Leading us to fact #5 – adult fluoride treatments can remineralize weakened enamel. By enhancing the natural process of minerals like calcium and phosphate being deposited back into the enamel, adult fluoride treatment can be a significant tool in reversing early signs of tooth decay and restoring the tooth’s integrity.
For that reason and many others, The American Dental Association recommends that many adults over the age of 18 receive professional topical fluoride application anywhere from every year to every three months!
Let’s Get You Smiling!
Caring Family Dentistry cares about creating healthy, beautiful smiles for every family member. Hopefully, now you have a bit of a better insight on just how to go about doing that as an adult! It starts with a great foundation of dental hygiene, and an adult fluoride treatment can potentially put your smile over the top! Not only that, you can guard against potential pitfalls and cavity-causers. Good deal!
Give us a call at 603-810-8270 to schedule an appointment at our conveniently-located Louden Road office, or just fill out this online form, and we’ll get right back to you!
Your smile of a lifetime is right around the corner with Caring Family Dentistry!