Fluoride Treatments: What They Are & What They Do

It’s widely known that fluoride is good for your teeth. In fact, it’s so useful for dental health and cavity prevention that they even put it in the water supply. Fluoride is an ionized form of fluorine, a naturally-occurring element that leaks into the groundwater via environmental processes. That means that, to some extent, fluoride is present in all water sources, even before they add it into the public water supply.

So what’s the big deal about fluoride? Well, in forming teeth, it builds a stronger tooth structure. On existing teeth, it protects enamel and decreases harmful bacterias in the mouth. On top of all that, it boosts daily remineralization of your tooth enamel. Pretty cool, right?

Types of Fluoride Treatments

A fluoride treatment is basically a mega-dose of this helpful mineral, meant to strengthen forming or existing teeth with a rush of fluoride that is either topical or systemic. If you’re at higher risk for cavities, or have weak bone structure, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment. There are a few different kids:

• Prescribed in supplement form in liquid or pills
• Prescribed in topical form as gels, rinses and toothpastes
• Applied in the dentist office as a varnish, gel or foam

The idea of in-office dental fluoride treatments is that, as the liquid sits on the teeth, it is allowed time for the teeth to absorb it, remineralizing damaged enamel and protecting your teeth from bacteria at the same time. Supplemental fluoride, much of the time, is used on children, whose teeth are still forming inside the jaw. It supports strong bones and teeth, and as it’s in your system, makes your spit into a protective liquid as well.

Why Would Someone Need a Fluoride Treatment?

There are several reasons people might need a professional fluoride treatment and/or a prescription fluoride toothpaste for daily at-home dental care:

• Dry mouth disorders
• Gum disease
• Bad dental care
• Not seeing your dentist for cleanings
• Chronic drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Weakened enamel
• History of cavities
• Poor diet
• History of eating disorder(s)
• Poor nutrition
• Presence of dental installations like bridges or implant crowns

People with immunodeficiency and children with braces may also need fluoride treatments. Kids are notorious for not taking care of their teeth – especially if it’s annoying, which, with braces it definitely is. Immune problems in adults, which may come from autoimmune diseases, immunosuppressant medications, radiation treatments, or a number of medications, may also cause your dentist to prescribe dental care like fluoride treatments, toothpastes or rinses.

What is Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste?

Most over-the-counter toothpastes contain fluoride, which is why in small children you have to be careful how much toothpaste they use, and ensure they don’t swallow it. Prescription fluoride toothpaste is basically supercharged OTC toothpaste. It’s prescribed for the same reasons as in-office treatments, but comes with strict guidelines, as too much fluoride can actually damage your teeth.

Wait – fluoride is dangerous? How can it be both good and bad for you?

Ever heard of too much of a good thing? Just like too much keratin can take your hair from strong and healthy to brittle and dull, too much fluoride can do the same thing to your teeth. Signs of too much fluoride include:

• Stained teeth
• Pitted or speckled teeth
• Bones that are dense but weak
• For supplements, fluoride “overdoses” can lead to issues with bone homeostasis, nausea, hyperhidrosis, diarrhea and lethargy.

So it’s super important to follow your dentist’s directions to a T when it comes to fluoride treatments of any kind.

How to Keep Your Enamel Healthy

So, how do you avoid needing fluoride treatments too often? Some things can’t be helped, like illnesses and side effects from essential medications – those are no fault of yours. Fluoride treatments are here to help you keep a healthy smile, even if it’s hard.

But for people who just haven’t been taking care of themselves, the answer to avoiding fluoride treatments is – you guessed it – proper oral hygiene! That means not abusing your teeth with an unhealthy lifestyle, practicing thorough at-home dental care, and seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings, x-rays and exams.

Easy enough, right? And when you take care of your mouth correctly, you’ll likely notice other parts of your body improve in health, too. Take good care of your mouth; you’ve got nothing to lose… except all your teeth.