Fluoride Treatment

Your teeth are highly important when it comes to eating, speaking, drinking, and smiling. To preserve your smile and prevent dental caries, you can receive dental treatments that keep plaque from forming or sticking to teeth. One of the ways you can avoid decay is with fluoride treatment from a Apex Dental professional in Chicago.

Dental Caries

Dental caries is more commonly called tooth decay and it is caused by plaque, which a sticky bacteria that can collect on teeth and around the gums. Without intervention from a dental professional, plaque can cause decay that worsens over time and can result in significant damage to teeth. You can keep dental caries at bay by brushing and flossing, but using fluoride is also recommended.

Fluoride & Oral Health

Fluoride is an essential mineral to your oral health. It is present naturally, but it has been added to the water supply in most United States cities in order to reduce the amount of cavities that may develop. Fluoride can also be applied topically to teeth, fortifying their strength and prevent plaque and decay from developing. To get the best benefits from fluoride, it should be systemic as well as topical – consumed in beverages and applied to teeth.

For a topical fluorite treatment, your local dentist can apply a fluoride solution to teeth. It will sit on the enamel for several minutes and may either be a varnish, gel, or foam. After the treatment, be sure to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes so that your teeth can effectively absorb the fluoride.

How Often Should Fluoride Be Applied

The recommended number of times you should receive a fluoride treatment depends on your oral health status, but most dentists recommend a treatment every 3, 6, or 12 months. They may also recommend additional ways to prevent dental decay, such as prescription products or fluoride mouthwashes.

If you’re concerned about your oral health, or have a higher frequency of experiencing dental caries, speak with a local Apex Dental professional so that a Chicago dentist can help preserve your oral health. Schedule an appointment with one of our dental team members for effective treatment.