The goal of general dentistry can be expressed as treating tooth decay and oral health issues if necessary and preventing them if possible. One of the most effective tools that dentists use in the prevention of tooth decay is fluoride.
The enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. It consists of minerals that combine to give it its hardness and durability. Exposure to acids weakens enamel in a process called demineralization, causing it to become soft. Along with phosphate and calcium, fluoride is one of several minerals that helps to build tooth enamel back up in a process called remineralization.
By strengthening tooth enamel, fluoride use in general dentistry helps to reverse the effects of acid and prevent tooth decay from occurring. If tooth decay is in its early stages, fluoride may actually be able to reverse it. It cannot reverse tooth decay that is more advanced, but it does help prevent new cavities from forming.
Because of its cavity-fighting capability, fluoride is an ingredient in many of the oral hygiene products intended for home use, especially mouthwash and toothpaste. Look for the seal of the American Dental Association on these products; the ADA has tested them and verified that they contain an adequate level of fluoride for the prevention of tooth decay. Fluoride supplements are also available by prescription for people who are deficient in the mineral. These are available as either tablets or a liquid.
If you live in a city, your municipal water supply may have fluoride added to it in the interest of promoting public health by reducing tooth decay. However, not all cities fluoridate their water. If you drink bottled water or get your water from a private well, you do not receive the benefits of fluoridation.
Fluoride treatments are frequently used as a preventive measure in general dentistry. They come in three different forms, each with a higher concentration of the mineral than what you find in over-the-counter oral hygiene products.
Fluoride foam comes in several different flavors, and the dentist will probably offer you a choice. The dentist places it into trays in the shape of your jaws, one for the top teeth and one for the bottom. You bite down on the trays for one to four minutes, during which time your teeth absorb the fluoride and start the remineralization process.
Fluoride varnish is painted onto the teeth. It, too, comes in different flavors. Once it is applied, it can stay on your teeth for several hours, during which time it keeps supplying fluoride to the enamel of your teeth.
Gel is the most versatile fluoride option. It can be either painted onto your teeth like a varnish or applied with trays that you bite down on like a foam.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Tinley Park, IL
Fluoride is valuable to general dentistry because it helps to prevent tooth decay through the process of remineralization, which strengthens the enamel after exposure to acid.
Request an appointment or call Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry at 708-675-7427 for an appointment in our Tinley Park office.
We all try our best to look out for our oral health, but the only way to truly keep up with our oral health is with preventative care provided by a general dentist. Brushing and flossing and oral hygiene are important, but there is so much that a dentist does that accounts for keeping us…
It is natural for teeth to discolor over time. If you have noticed that your smile has lost its luster, a general dentist can help. For effective and long-lasting results, get personalized advice and treatment from the dentist in-office. However, there are general steps you can take to improve the whiteness of your smile. Below…
Visiting the dentist can be stressful, especially if you have never been or it has been many years since your last appointment. However, with the help of a general dentist, your first appointment and every appointment after that will be a breeze. This post will review some tips to make your first general dentist appointment…