28 Jul 2022 So, you must have heard of fluoride. Everyone has heard of this amazing substance which comes with a plethora of benefits. Fluoride can fight and prevent tooth decay. It is the reason why manufacturers use fluoride in toothpaste. Even though everyone knows about the benefits of fluoride, they don’t know how to incorporate fluoride into their daily oral treatment. In case, you want to add fluoride to your dental care, you can follow the article along to the last line. Here you will get to know everything about fluoride treatment for dental care. Can you use fluoride for dental care at your home? Let’s have a look.
What Is Fluoride?
Before getting into the discussion of fluoride and its use for dental care, let’s have a look at the definition of this wonder substance which can prevent tooth decay and improve your oral health.
Fluoride is a mineral that is used for dental treatment since ancient times. Fluoride is a great element that provides support to tooth enamel. Also, it builds protection for gum and teeth by fighting bacteria. Tooth enamel is the main protective shield of the tooth’s outer layer. Therefore, if it is not strong, your teeth will eventually get damaged. For this reason, you need to support your teeth’ enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride is an amazing element that fights dental caries and improves oral health. In addition to this, fluoride also fights cavity-causing bacteria. A cavity occurs when harmful bacteria build up around the teeth and form plaque. If your plaque is not washed off quickly, it causes an acidic reaction inside the mouth. Eventually, it leads to tooth decay and cavity. The acid that plaque produces does not only harm teeth, it also damages dental tissues. When left untreated, plaque breaks the outer layer of tooth enamel and allows bacteria to penetrate the tooth surface, causing extreme harm to blood vessels and gum tissues.
So, after learning so much about fluoride and its benefits, it is time to have a look at fluoride treatment, its requirements, benefits, and what you can expect from fluoride treatment.
Professional Fluoride Treatment
Dentists offer fluoride treatment in various ways. They can prescribe a highly concentrated fluoride rinse for you to wash off your mouth. In some cases, dentists may prescribe gel or foam to suit your need as well. You can apply the solutions to the affected area with cotton, a swab, or a brush. If required dentists prescribe fluoride trays to combat dental problems.
These gels or foams possess more fluoride than general toothpaste. These treatments are easy to apply. It does not take more than 30 minutes for the treatment to take place. If you are taking this treatment, you may have to avoid eating or drinking right after applying the solution. The idea is to allow the fluoride to be absorbed properly. Otherwise, you will not get the expected effect of fluoride.
If you want to get the maximum benefit of fluoride treatment, you need to speak to your dentist freely. It is important to give them your health history. Without knowing your health condition, they will not be able to prescribe you the right treatment.
How Much Fluoride Should You Use?
The need for fluoride depends on your oral health. Depending on the dental damage you are suffering from, you should get fluoride treatment. Usually, dentists prescribe to go for fluoride treatment, every 3 to 6 months. In case, you are exposed to the risk of suffering from cavities, you may have to use a fluoride gel or rinse to support your fluoride treatment.
While you are using fluoride treatment, you should also know what causes cavities. Once you know about the risks, you will be able to stay away from cavity-causing bacteria.
Excessive alcohol or drug abuse has a profound effect on dental health. Therefore, if you want to avoid cavities and tooth decay, you need to reduce alcohol and drug intake. Eating disorder is another cause of cavities. If you don’t eat properly, your teeth will be malnourished and that will cause dental decay. For this reason, eating a balanced diet is important. Poor dental hygiene can be dangerous for oral health. If you are prone to poor oral health, you may get exposed to the risk of the cavity. A dry mouth is dangerous for dental health. For this reason, if you suffer from decreasing saliva, you may suffer from tooth decay or cavity.
If you are looking for sources of fluoride, you can drink tea as it can be a great source of this wonder mineral. Water is another source of fluoride. You can incorporate fluoride into your life by increasing your water intake. Bones of fish contain fluoride as well. Therefore, you can include fish in your life and increase fluoride consumption.
Different Benefits of Fluoride
Fluoride works like a wonder when it comes to protecting teeth. It restores tooth minerals and protects the teeth’ surface from bacteria. Regular use of fluoride treatment can stall the growth of harmful bacteria. If you expect fluoride to stop tooth decay, you are mistaken. Fluoride cannot do it. However, if you use fluoride, you will have stronger teeth that will not allow harmful elements to penetrate the tooth surface and cause damage.
Fluoride is a great element that is beneficial for both grown up and children. Those who are exposed to fluoride, are not likely to suffer from the cavity. Because fluoride makes teeth strong, you will not get cavities easily. People who are exposed to fluoride water don’t usually suffer from tooth decay.
Side Effects Fluoride
Because fluoride is a famous substance for dental care, people rarely speak about its negative effects of fluoride. However, like other substances, fluoride also has some downsides. Therefore, before you start using it for your dental care, you need to know about the negative aspects of fluoride. It will prepare you for any upcoming troubles which you may face due to fluoride use.
Excess fluoride can cause problems for you. It may cause negative complications. Therefore, you should be careful about fluoride overdose. It can cause poisoning. It may also cause harm to the bone development of children. For this reason, some children’s toothpaste doesn’t use fluoride.
What Can Excess Fluoride Do?
If you are wondering what excess fluoride can do to your teeth, you are not alone. The popularity of fluoride causes many to wonder whether excessive use of fluoride can lead to any negative effects.
Excess fluoride use can cause white spots on teeth. If you are going for fluoride treatment, and you notice white spots on your teeth, you need to understand that you are overdoing it. Therefore, it is time to reduce the use of fluoride. However, before making any such decision, be sure to ask your dentist and get suggestions about reducing fluoride use. Also, before incorporating any treatment, be sure to ask a dentist first.
Teeth staining is another problem that you may notice while using fluoride. This could be a result of excess fluoride use. Pitting on teeth is another sign of fluoride overdose. You need to reduce fluoride use if you notice any of the signs.
Excess use of fluoride can cause bone problems. Therefore, you need to be careful about fluoride use. Just because it is good for teeth, you should not use it without thinking and at an excessive rate. Before doing anything, you should ask a dentist and take their suggestions.
Excess fluoride can cause extreme toxicity. You may experience nausea due to excess fluoride use. Diarrhea and tiredness are other results of excess fluoride use. You may also experience extreme sweating due to fluoride overdose.
Remember that excessive fluoride use can cause death as well. Therefore, you need to be careful when you are using fluoride. Never use anything without dentists’ suggestions.
Should You Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice every day is the best way to keep teeth healthy. However, you need to remember that toothpaste contains very little fluoride. Therefore, you need to use it every day to get a better result. You need to brush your teeth to remove plaque from the base of your gum and teeth. It will keep your gum and teeth healthy. You will be able to experience improved oral health as well. Flossing is another essential way to keep your teeth in better condition. Brushing does not always show the desired result.
People who don’t see dentists regularly, need to use fluoride toothpaste to improve their oral health. You can get fluoride from water. For this reason, you need to drink as much water as you can. Also, you can get fluoride from your toothpaste. You will get fluoride mouthwash as well. Dietary supplements contain fluoride as well. If you want to get fluoride, you need to use all the sources. It will ensure that you get adequate fluoride to keep your teeth healthy.
However, only using fluoride will not improve your oral health. You need to create a balanced diet as well. Giving up sweets and sugary snacks will keep bacterial infections away.
Home Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is an extremely beneficial mineral that can protect your teeth and improve your oral health. Most cities around the world use fluoride in their tap water. Using this water helps in improving oral health. Water fluoride treatment is one of the top dental treatments. However, the question is – what to do when you don’t have access to city water? Or, what if your city water does not contain fluoride? In this case, you may face a little problem. You will have to include fluoride in your daily dental care.
You can go for fluoride treatment at home. You will find two different types of fluoride treatments. One of these treatments does not need any prescription. Anyone can go for this treatment. If you need fluoride, you can use fluoride toothpaste twice to give your teeth the required fluoride. Also, you can use fluoride mouthwash, if you want to add to it. The other treatment will need a dentist’s prescription.
Facts about Fluoride Treatment
Before going for fluoride treatment, you need to know about the treatment and everything related to it. Knowing about fluoride will help you to make the right decision about your treatment.
Fluoride is a Mineral
Fluoride is a mineral that is both natural and beneficial for your teeth and gum. Of course, fluoride cannot fix decaying teeth. But it can prevent further tooth decay. You can find fluoride in groundwater. Therefore, drinking tap water or rinsing your mouth with groundwater can be beneficial for your oral health. The problem is – some places possess high fluoride water and some do not possess fluoride water at all. If your area has fluoride water, you will get it naturally.
Fluoride Treatment Is Beneficial
Some don’t consider fluoride treatment as essential or beneficial. However, if you get information about the treatment, you will understand that fluoride is essential for dental wellness. If you compare the cost of fluoride treatment with the cost of tooth replacement, you will see that fluoride treatment is less expensive than other dental treatments. Also, fluoride treatment shows quick results. Because fluoride lowers the risk of cavities and tooth decay, you will not have to worry about dental treatment costs for such dental problems.
Fluoride Makes Teeth Enamel Strong
A constant battle between bacteria and minerals inside the human mouth occurs. In this battle, if bacteria wins, people suffer from poor dental health. However, if the minerals win, they get strong gum and better teeth. Fluoride empowers the minerals in the saliva. It helps in fighting tooth decay-causing bacteria and improves oral health.
Fluoride Can Cure Cavity
Yes, fluoride can cure your cavity. However, the cavity must be in the initial stage. Otherwise, fluoride will not be able to cure it. Therefore, if you notice a small cavity in your teeth, you immediately opt for fluoride treatment.
Fluoride treatments don’t cause any harm to teeth or oral health. However, you need to find an experienced dentist to perform this treatment. Also, professional treatments don’t cause pain or stain teeth.