Improve Your Dental Health and Protect Your Teeth with Fluoride Treatment
We are all about preventive dental care at Mint Dental in Meridian, Idaho. Besides routine exams and cleanings, we offer fluoride treatments to protect your decay-prone teeth, strengthen your teeth, and reverse decay. Since there have been numerous misconceptions about fluoride treatment, please book an appointment with Dr. Kevin Pulsipher to get the facts right and learn about the remarkable benefits of fluoride.
How fluoride works
As you enjoy your favorite foods and drinks, bacteria feed on the starches left in your mouth. If you don’t brush or floss your teeth, plaque forms. The acids in this clear, sticky film gradually eat away your enamel and rob it of vital minerals that keep your teeth strong and decay-resistant. Plaque causes tooth decay that starts as small holes and eventually develops into full-blown cavities.
Our teeth can repair minor tooth damage through remineralization — a process where new minerals (enamel crystals) deposit on the damaged areas. Remarkably, fluoride helps the process by making the enamel crystals grow faster and bigger. Restoring the vital minerals and nutrients repairs minor damage and strengthens your enamel to fight off tooth decay.
What to expect from fluoride treatment
You may not be aware, but you interact with a lot of fluoride from everyday substances like the water you take, toothpaste, and rinses. However, your dentist can recommend fluoride treatment to give your teeth a much-needed boost against tooth decay.
There are several ways to apply fluoride at a dentist’s office, including rinses, foams, and trays. Our dentist will determine the application method, given your age and other factors. We apply fluoride on most patients’ teeth using a brush or cotton swab. Sometimes, we can use a rinse or tray held in your mouth for a few minutes.
After application, we will give your mouth about 30 minutes for your teeth to absorb the fluoride. During this time, your dentist will ask you to avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing to prevent interfering with the procedure.
Benefits of fluoride treatment
Dr. Pulsipher recommends fluoride treatment at least twice a year. However, if you are at high risk of tooth decay, the frequency can be increased. The many benefits of fluoride treatment include the following:
- Safe and effective
- Protects your teeth from decay
- Application is painless, simple, and fast
- Saves you costly restorative procedures
- Suitable for patients of all ages
Want to protect your decay-prone teeth?
Please call (208) 900-4669 to schedule an appointment with Mint Dental for fluoride treatment. We are conveniently located in Meridian, ID, and welcome new and existing patients from the nearby cities of Boise and Kuna, ID.