Fluoride Treatment – Peabody, MA

Protecting Teeth from Decay

What is Fluoride?

If you want to grasp fluoride treatment, you should first know the basics about fluoride itself. The procedure won’t make sense to you otherwise.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and many foods. When applied to your teeth, it essentially rebuilds or “re-mineralizes” your enamel layer. The result is that your enamel is stronger and better able to resist tooth-decaying bacteria.

Given these facts, fluoride is often used to protect people from cavities. Many healthcare products – especially toothpaste and mouthwash – feature it as a main ingredient. Similarly, dentists will apply fluoride directly to teeth as a treatment.

How Fluoride Treatment Works

In general, dentists perform a fluoride treatment at the end of a dental checkup or cleaning. The applied mineral can then better reach your enamel, enhancing your smile more effectively.

Fluoride treatment is fairly brief and only involves a few crucial steps. Overall, a hygienist simply “paints” a fluoride varnish onto your teeth with a swab or brush. (They could also put a fluoride foam or gel in a mouthguard that fits your smile.) The process thus takes a few minutes at most, barring some unforeseen situation.

Our team will provide you with after-care instructions once treatment is over. In particular, we’ll advise that you not eat or drink for 30 minutes; doing so would keep your teeth from absorbing the fluoride. You also shouldn’t touch your teeth due to the fluoride’s sticky feeling, as this sensation fades after a day or so.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatment

With a fluoride treatment from Dr. Saati, you can expect the following benefits:

• Remineralization – When fluoride is directly applied to your teeth, it re-mineralizes and strengthens their enamel. That means the mineral lowers your risk of future cavities.
• Reversal of Tooth Decay – Not only does fluoride prevent cavities, but it can also somewhat reverse them. Its remineralization keeps existing decay from getting worse.
• Reduced Bacterial Growth – Because it disrupts certain enzymes, fluoride reduces the growth of harmful bacteria on your teeth.
• Cost-Effective Care – Since fluoride protects you from tooth decay, it saves you money otherwise spent on dental fillings, dental crowns, or root canals.

To see if you’re a good candidate for fluoride treatment, please visit our office. We’ll gladly assess your smile, and we’ll suggest hygiene products that contain the relevant mineral!