How Often Should Adults Receive Fluoride Treatment?
How Often Should Adults Receive Fluoride Treatment?
February 14, 2022

Are you aware dentists recommend fluoride treatments even for adults? If you don’t, we recommend you continue reading this blog because it provides all information on how our fluoride treatments from your dentist in Dundas, ON help you.

A natural mineral helpful for building strong teeth and preventing cavities is fluoride. Fluoride supports the health of your tooth enamel by fighting harmful bacteria on them for your teeth and gums. The strong outer surface of every tooth is called the enamel.

You find fluoride treatments particularly beneficial if you are at high risk of developing dental cavities. Cavities occur when bacterial buildup on your teeth and gums from a thin film of a sticky layer called dental plaque. Plaque deposits toxins on your teeth to erode your teeth and gums tissue. When the plaque penetrates the enamel layer, it infects the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue near the tooth’s center. Learn more about how often adults must receive fluoride treatments as a preventive measure against cavities.

What to Expect during Professional in Office Fluoride Treatments?

When you visit your dentist requesting fluoride treatment in Dundas, ON, expect to receive in-office fluoride treatments in the form of a rinse, varnish, gel, or foam. Dentists apply fluoride to your teeth using a brush, swab, tray, or mouthwash.

Professional treatments from the dentist provide topical fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel. The treatment will likely not cause any anxiety or require anesthesia because the dentist completes it within a few minutes. However, you are restricted from eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes after the application to allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride fully. Before receiving fluoride treatment, provide your entire medical history to the professional to ensure they choose the appropriate treatment for you.

Fluoride Treatment Costs

When compared to the costs of getting a filling, fluoride treatments are downright affordable. Children receive coverage from insurance providers, but adults must pay $ 10-$ 30 or more to receive topical fluoride treatments from dentists. If you are concerned about the prices of fluoride treatments, enquire with the dentist about it before you get the treatment.

Frequency of Fluoride Treatments for Adults

The frequency of fluoride treatment for adults depends on their oral health and their risks of dental cavities. The American Dental Association suggests you get in office proficient fluoride treatments once every three, six, or 12 months depending on your dental health. If you are at high risk of cavities, dentists prescribe a fluoride rinse or gel to use at home.

You may become prone to cavities if you excessively use alcohol or drugs, have eating disorders, weakened enamel, neglect professional dental care, maintain poor oral hygiene or are affected by conditions like xerostomia, leaving you with a dry mouth.

You can receive systemic fluoride treatment from natural sources like tap water, diet, infant formula, et cetera. Optimal fluoride levels are available from supplements, foods and water. You don’t need to visit your dentist in Dundas, ON for topical fluoride treatments because you also get topical fluoride from fluoride toothpaste.

Adults need 1.5 to 4 milligrams of fluoride daily from systemic or topical fluoride treatments. Children also need fluoride not from their dentist but topically from water, foods, toothpaste, et cetera.

How does Fluoride Benefits You?

Fluoride restores the minerals to your tooth surface where bacteria have eroded the enamel. Fluoride also helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria to avoid cavities in the mouth. Fluoride doesn’t remove tooth decay because it can merely create a firmer outer surface for your teeth to help stop tooth decay from penetrating the deeper layers. Everyone benefits from fluoride treatments, including children. Children and adolescents receiving fluoride treatments for a year are less likely to develop tooth decay than children that don’t receive the treatment.

If you want to prevent cavities in your teeth, fluoride is a fundamental mineral. Fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel by restoring its minerals. However, you can suffer adverse complications if you overdose on fluoride.

If you want to take optimal care of your mouth to ensure your oral health doesn’t affect other bodily functions, you must brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes, floss your teeth at least once a day regardless of when you do it, avoid sugary foods and beverages, avoid smoking and visit a dentist in Dundas, ON for exams and cleanings, and to receive fluoride treatments at least once a year.

If you want to receive fluoride treatments besides cleanings and exams, please contact Royal East Dental to give your teeth a protective barrier on them to battle cavities.