Everyone knows the importance of regular dental hygiene practices. Brushing twice a day, flossing on a daily basis, and going to the dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning should be part of every person’s routine. But there’s more that you can do—and more that you really should be doing—in order to make sure your smile stays happy and healthy.
One thing you should be doing is getting fluoride treatments. Here at River Valley Smiles, we care about our patients, and that means educating them. We’ve put together this piece to help you understand just what a fluoride treatment is—and why you should be getting them. Please take a few moments to read this, and don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is an element that helps keep your teeth strong and healthy. As you go through your daily life, your teeth can wear down. Whether it’s from excessive acid in the foods you eat, the wear and tear of chewing, or other things, over time the tooth can weaken.
The good news is that the tooth can replenish itself. It does this by absorbing certain elements from the foods you eat and using those elements to replace enamel and other substances that wear down. One such element is fluoride.
Fluoride exposure gives your teeth the materials they need to strengthen themselves and repair weakening spots. Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water, and it is included in many toothpastes; however, this is not enough. You need a regular fluoride treatment in order to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Why Do You Need a Fluoride Treatment?
Simply put, the water that you drink doesn’t stay in your mouth for very long. Even if it is fluoridated—and not all communities have fluoridated water—it will not be in contact with your teeth long enough for them to fully absorb all the fluoride they need. It’s better than nothing, to be sure, but it’s not enough.
When you come to River Valley Smiles for a fluoride treatment, we use a special gel containing concentrated fluoride (and other elements). We put it in a tray and place it against your teeth. We keep it there long enough for the absorption process to run its course. This leaves your teeth in far better shape than they would be in from simply drinking fluoridated water.
We can help keep your teeth healthy. Contact us today about a fluoride treatment!
