5 Things to Know About Topical Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride has slowly but surely been getting a bad reputation thanks to social media and news media outlets. Most dentists recommend using toothpaste with fluoride in it, and many over-the-counter mouth rinses are sold with fluoride as its main active ingredient. In the following article, we will discuss different types of fluoride, that are not available for purchase at your drug store or the grocery store, a professional fluoride Treatment. Fluoride treatments are prescription strength and applied only topically. Let’s take a look at five things to know about these fluoride treatments.
Fluoride is a Natural Mineral
Fluoride is a mineral that’s found in rocks, water, and soil. Many may not know, but fluoride is the 13th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Fluoride naturally appears in the ground at different levels, which is the answer to why certain cities or counties have fluoride in their drinking water while others have none.
Worth the Cost
The cost of fluoride treatment is worth it. Fluoride treatment can be significantly less expensive than the cost of repairing a tooth because of decay. Fluoride treats teeth to prevent this kind of softening of the tooth structure and is often used as a preventative therapy.
Not Just for Kids!
Fluoride treatments are not just for the kids in your family. Fluoride naturally improves the remineralization process of any tooth surface. You don’t have to be a kid to be prone to cavities, so anyone with high risk for tooth decay should go to their local dental professional for fluoride treatments on a regular basis. Patients that have special needs and are unable to keep their teeth clean also experience the greater possibility of cavities. These patients would do well in considering fluoride treatment on a regular basis.
Reverse Small Cavities!
At the earliest stage of a cavity also known as an incipient lesion, these early cavities can be stopped by professional fluoride treatments and good oral hygiene at home. In order to prevent a cavity, using a topical fluoride solution can hinder its progress to a stage that requires intense dental procedures.
Safe
First and foremost, fluoride treatments at prescription strength our safe. There is, however, a risk associated with fluoride intake, such as when it is ingested on a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste. Topical fluoride treatments done in our offices are closely monitored by a dental professional to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
At Carlsbad Coastal Dental in Carlsbad, CA our concern in making sure that all of our patients stay on top of the latest in dental news is made apparent here on our blog. By ensuring you know the most about possible dental treatments, we keep you from being worried about coming into our office. If you still have questions about topical fluoride treatments, send us an email or give us a call today to schedule a consultation.