Fluoride treatments, both topical and systemic, provide extra protection for your teeth. Even with brushing and flossing and regular exams and cleaning, fluoride can help in fighting tooth decay. Applied in the very early microscopic stages of disease, fluoride can repair teeth and help prevent cavities from forming.
Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth enamel. Examples are fluoride toothpaste and rinses as well as fluoride treatments at our office. These treatments use a fluoride preparation which is a much stronger concentration than over-the-counter products. These in-office treatments are recommended for child patients, patients with poor oral hygiene, eating disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, active orthodontic treatment, poor diet, sensitive or exposed tooth roots, or patients undergoing head or neck radiation therapy.
Depending on your overall oral health, fluoride treatments may be recommended every 3, 6 or 12 months. Fluoride, both over-the-counter and in-office treatments is an exceptional tool in fighting cavities – it is also completely safe and necessary for all patients