For a beautiful smile, you need a healthy set of teeth. And for a healthy set of teeth, fluoride plays an important role.
In simple terms, fluoride is a natural mineral that helps to build strong teeth and assist in preventing cavity formation. As a dental treatment, fluoride has been used extensively by dentists and is even a common additive in drinking water. Fluoride intake is most crucial for infants and children between the ages of 6 months to 16 years.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride is available in toothpaste, beverages, food and drinking water, but sometimes it’s not enough. In such cases, fluoride treatment performed by a dentist is the solution. This treatment is performed by dentists who use a high concentration of fluoride on the patient’s teeth. This helps in reducing cavities. Usually, this treatment is repeated every 3 to 6 months for the patients who develop cavities through poor oral hygiene or drug use. The fluoride used in dental clinics is in the form of gel, varnish or foam.
Process of Fluoride Treatment:
The following is a step-by-step explanation of the fluoride treatment:
- Dentists use highly concentrated fluoride in the form of rinse, foam, gel or varnish.
- Highly concentrated fluoride foam is applied with a swab or brush onto the patient’s teeth.
- In a few minutes, the solution is applied to the teeth.
- After the application, the patient is asked to avoid drinking water or eating food for 30 minutes.
- Once the time is passed, the dentist will rinse off the solution from your teeth.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatment:
- It helps in the restoration of the minerals on the tooth surface. It restores the enamel on your tooth where bacteria might’ve eroded it.
- It stops the growth of oral bacteria and thus prevents cavity formation in your teeth.
- Fluoride can’t stop any tooth decay, but it helps to prevent deep penetration by forming a protective layer.
- If you’ve cavities on your teeth, it slows down the growth process.
- It prolongs the life of baby teeth.
- By controlling the cavity formation, it helps in delaying any expensive dental treatment.
- It reduces the amount of time and money a person has to spend at the dentist’s clinic.
- It helps to avoid any expensive dental implants by protecting your overall oral health.
Side Effects of Fluoride Treatment:
- Staining And Pitting: Dental fluorosis occurs as a result of consuming too much fluoride during enamel formation. It results in discolouration of certain areas of your teeth. It can even damage your teeth. The severity is dependent on the factors such as dosage, duration and age of an individual. Cosmetically, your teeth look odd whenever you smile.
- White Specks: White specks are also one of the most common side effects of fluorides. Your teeth might be strong and free from cavities, but in some teeth, the person develops white specks. Aesthetically, it bothers the patient. And the process to treat those specks includes microabrasion, bleaching and veneers.
- Dense Bones with Little Strength: Excessive consumption of fluoride can cause skeletal fluorosis, which can affect bone strength. In extreme cases, it can cause painful damage to your bones and joints.
- Fatigue, Nausea or Diarrhea: Fluoride supplement pills can cause fatigue, nausea or diarrhea. It only happens during the treatment. Thus, keep it away from the reach of children. In some extreme cases, fluoride overdose can even lead to death.
