Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay by coating your teeth and preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. Fluoride is a mineral that your teeth need to be strong enough to fight off bacteria, decay, and infection.
Most US tap water contains fluoride today. However, most bottled water doesn’t. Many people have fluoride deficiency, which puts teeth at a greater risk for getting cavities. In some cases, parents think that they are protecting their babies by using bottled water to mix formula, but actually, tap water is better for this.
WHAT TO EXPECT
At your dental checkup, we can determine whether your teeth would benefit from a fluoride supplement. A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Fluoride mouth rinses may also be recommended.
One quick rinse and your teeth will have a better chance of staying healthy. We offer supplemental fluoride for patients of all ages. Our dental hygienist will recommend additional ways to keep your fluoride levels up between dental visits, from using tap water to mouthwashes.
If you’d like to learn about other options we have, feel free to visit our Preventative Dentistry hub page or contact us directly!
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