When you go to Miller Family Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, for a checkup, your hygienist may ask if you want a fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatments are an important way to keep your teeth healthy. You can also benefit from fluoride daily by incorporating it into your oral hygiene routine.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride is a natural mineral. When applied to the teeth, it helps fight the bacteria that cause cavities, and it builds up enamel, which is a protective layer on the outside of each tooth.
Professional fluoride treatments at the dentist contain highly concentrated fluoride as a gel, foam, varnish, or rinse. Applying the fluoride treatment to the teeth is simple and only takes a minute or two. Depending on the type of fluoride treatment you get, you may need to let it sit on your teeth for a few minutes and then have your mouth rinsed out, or the application may be allowed to soak into your teeth without an extra rinse. In either case, the dentist will probably tell you to avoid eating or drinking for the next 30 minutes, so the fluoride has a chance to be absorbed into your teeth.
Most of the time, we recommend getting a fluoride treatment whenever you come for your routine dental checkup, which is usually once every six months. If you have a higher risk for cavities, the dentist may recommend more frequent fluoride treatments.
Why is Oral Health Important?
Caring for oral health involves much more than visiting the dentist every six months. You should take your oral health seriously every day. Brush your teeth and floss regularly because healthy teeth and gums have many benefits. If your teeth are clean and healthy, you'll have less chance of toothaches, cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems that can be painful, lead to tooth loss, and cost a lot to fix. Good oral hygiene also gives you more confidence when you talk and smile. You'll have whiter, more attractive teeth. If you brush and floss regularly, you'll also have better breath.
If you don't take good care of your oral health, you increase your risk for other health problems, too, such as heart disease and stroke. Your oral health and the health of your body are intricately linked and can affect one another.
What is the Importance of Fluoride in Oral Health?
Fluoride treatments benefit your oral health in many ways, including:
- Inhibits growth of bacteria in your mouth
- Prevents cavities
- Stops existing tooth decay from penetrating deeper into your tooth
- Helps restore or build up tooth enamel
- Protects children's teeth
Fluoride in the correct dosages is safe and effective for people of all ages. It should be an essential part of your oral health care.
In What Ways Can Fluoride Treatment Be Part of Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine?
As a preventive service, you don't have to wait until your next checkup to begin reaping the benefits of fluoride. Fluoride can be part of your everyday dental hygiene routine. We recommend you choose toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride in it. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily to keep your teeth cleaner and healthier while reducing your risk for cavities.
Many towns and cities put fluoride into their water supply, which means you drink trace amounts of fluoride if you drink unfiltered tap water. Drinking fluoridated water or food cooked in fluoridated water really does help reduce your risk for cavities. For example, certain foods and drinks have fluoride in them, including:
- Black tea
- Coffee
- Grapefruit juice
- Grape juice
- Raisins
- Oatmeal
- Potatoes
- White rice
- Corn
- Beef
- Pork chops
Of course, even with good oral hygiene habits that include the use and intake of fluoride, you still should get professional fluoride treatments at Swang Dental to give your teeth a big boost of fluoride for better cavity-fighting power.
Schedule Your Next Dental Checkup Today
Learning to practice good oral health habits at home starts with understanding how to incorporate them into your everyday routine. Certain products that contain extra fluoride, like fluoride-containing toothpaste, are a great way to start maintaining your health. Whether you have a risk of cavities or dental decay, at Miller Family Dentistry in Nashville, TN, we want our patients to have healthy tooth enamel. Book an appointment with our dental office today!