Fluoride Treatment in Lehi, UT

You’re always hearing things like “4 out of 5 dentists recommend this toothpaste brand!”

But what about fluoride treatments?

Informed dentists definitely recommend fluoride treatments as a cost-effective way to maintain and protect dental health. The American Dental Association even provides their seal of acceptance for fluoride treatments that prevent and slow down dental decay. In fact, fluoride treatments have been so effective in preventing dental cavities (decay) that water fluoridation has been in effect in most cities since 1945 – considered as one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The truth is that protecting your oral health calls for a multi-pronged approach – you can’t just set it and forget. And you can’t just brush your teeth or go for a cleaning once a year and hope for a healthy, natural smile. Maintaining your dental health is a progressive pursuit. It takes time, care, and attention to see results.

But it’s so worth it.

The results of a healthy smile do way more than just enhance your photos – they improve the quality of your life. When it comes to dental health, in particular, dental decay can also affect your heart and immune system, as well as your gut health. So ask yourself this: With so much at stake, can you really afford not to opt for fluoride treatments?

Why Choose Fluoride Treatments For the Health of Your Teeth?

As a naturally-occurring mineral in water, fluoride has been shown to prevent tooth decay, decreasing cavities by 25% to 50% and costing only about 50 cents per person every year. That’s why community fluoridation has either already happened or is happening in communities across the nation.

And when you look at the stats on tooth decay, you’ll see just how much of a need we have for fluoride treatments:

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What’s the inevitable outcome for 42% of those affected by tooth decay?

The time and expense in treating dental caries or decay
Possibly disruptive and painful procedures to extract the decay
Possible loss of a healthy smile

Is tooth decay inevitable? Not if you protect what you’ve got with regular applications of fluoride treatments, a good and consistent cleaning regime, and at home care.

What Happens During a Professional Fluoride Treatment?

During a professional application of fluoride varnish, our dental hygienist will make sure your mouth is clean and ready for an application.

Next, you’re likely to experience the following procedure:

Using either a tray or an applicator such as a cotton swab or brush, your dental professional will apply a 5% sodium fluoride varnish to your teeth in the clinic
Treatments come in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish
Depending on the type and brand of varnish, we will leave this on for anywhere from one to three minutes
If you use a rinse, you may be asked to hold no more than a minute

To make sure that this dental sealant, such as it is, remains on your teeth and takes effect, follow these post-application rules:

No eating for two-three hours after application
Try to avoid brushing your teeth until the evening
Avoid “rough” or abrasive foods for the next 24 hours

But keep in mind that these treatments are a form of topical fluoride application. There is another type of treatment known as a systemic fluoride system.

Each application has their own benefits, and it depends on what your dental professional recommends for your particular situation.

Types of Fluoride Treatments

If fluoride weren’t flexible, it wouldn’t be half as effective as it is. Fluoride can be applied or taken in multiple ways — and water fluoridation is just one example.

When you opt for a professional fluoride treatment, you’ll either get a topical or systemic treatment option as mentioned above. One is available over the other if you have particular issues with cavities and you need something more resilient.

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As you can see, systemic fluoride is usually ingested and helps to re-build or strengthen the enamel from the inside out. But because it’s used during jaw formation, systemic fluoride works best during an individual’s early years – their childhood.

Meanwhile, topical fluoride works by affecting the outer layers of the enamel or surface of the teeth. It creates a sort of barrier and is concentrated in the saliva of the mouth.

These are usually in the form of a gel (1.23%) or a 2% sodium fluoride varnish, as recommended by the American Dental Association.

So which is better? Well, ideally, one follows or reinforces the other. If you receive systemic fluoride as a child, then topical fluoride treatments two or three times a year, you’ve found the perfect way to ensure your ongoing dental health.

But if you have encroaching issues with cavities that are growing more severe or have a rapid onset, a dental professional may recommend you start a more consistent round of both types.

What Are The Benefits of Fluoride Treatments?

Do you have any of the following issues? If you answer “yes” to any of these, you’re at an increased risk of developing dental cavities:

Poor over oral hygiene (no regular routine in place)
Active caries
Eating disorders
Drug or alcohol abuse
A lack of professional dental checks
Active orthodontic treatments specifically for poor oral hygiene
High levels of bacteria in the mouth
Exposed surfaces of teeth
Poor diet (acidic)
Active restorations
Tooth enamel defects
Undergoing any kind of back and neck therapy

There are plenty of benefits to be realized from fluoride treatments. As a kind of dental sealant, they protect the tooth’s surface but they also breach this barrier to strengthen the internal portion.

Does Fluoride Lead to Any Side-Effects?

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral and it has several benefits.

But there is such a thing as too much. They’re not exactly “side effects,” because not every patient experiences this. Instead, these are just the effects of ingesting or applying fluoride over the recommended threshold.

These include:

White specks on teeth
Possible acute toxicity with effects like nausea, diarrhea, and tiredness

However, optimal levels of fluoride application will never bring on these effects, so you shouldn’t be too worried about them. Applications have a threshold for concentration, so you’re always protected when you opt for in-clinic treatments.

Are Fluoride Treatments Safe for Children?

Children especially benefit from fluoride treatments because they’re taking part in prevention early on. Plus, since they’re still learning their way around their body, children may not be as stringent with cleaning as adults.

Additionally, so much of the foods that children are naturally attracted to are sugary or acidic. That means their dental health can come under risk, leading to tooth decay.

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Fluoride treatments are also very beneficial if their family has a history of cavities or vulnerable dental health. In fact, children who are at increased risk for caries are even more responsive to fluoride treatments.

The earlier they’re exposed to regular topical applications, the less likely they are to develop decay in adulthood: 43% less likely, to be exact!

Consider Canyon Crest Dental For Fluoride Treatment

Our experienced dental professionals at Canyon Crest Dental can often tell the overall health of a person when they take a glance at the inside of your mouth.

Why? Because oral health and hygiene is a literal gateway to the rest of the body’s total health and wellness.

Poor breath, for example, often means decay and bacteria are present. And this makes its way into your gut, affecting your digestive tract, your throat, which is then connected to your ears and nose.

When you opt for fluoride treatments from Canyon Crest Dental, as part of a larger oral healthcare routine, you’re making sure that the time, money, and effort you put into the rest of your dental procedures are actually protected.

So think of fluoride treatments as very necessary and easy to procure. Contact us to schedule your appointment today and learn more about the Canyon Crest commitment to your smile satisfaction.

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