What Is a Fluoride Treatment, And Do I Need One?

by Shelley Frost

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Going to the dentist soon? Regular dental checkups are essential for keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, but knowing which dental services are necessary can be tricky.

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Fluoride treatment options are popular for kids. Some dentists also offer this treatment option to adult patients.

What Is a Fluoride Treatment for Your Teeth?

A fluoride treatment at a dentist's office is a high concentration of fluoride that the dentist applies to the surface of your teeth. Common forms include foam, gel and varnish. It's a quick treatment that usually happens during your regular checkup after the cleaning process is done. Your dentist might apply it with a brush, swab or tray. Sometimes, your dentist will tell you to wait at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything after they apply the fluoride.

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What Does It Do?

Fluoride is a mineral that can strengthen your teeth. Your tooth enamel naturally loses minerals due to bacteria, sugar and plaque. However, you can add minerals like fluoride and calcium back into the enamel to help strengthen it and prevent decay.

You can get fluoride in some foods and water. However, those sources aren't usually enough to fight tooth decay. That's why many oral care products contain fluoride. Getting a fluoride treatment from your dentist gives you a much higher dose than those sources. Some benefits of the treatment include:

Adding minerals back into your enamel that have been lost
Preventing or slowing mineral loss
Slowing or reversing early decay
Reducing bacteria that can cause cavities

Do I Need a Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatments aren't required for children or adults. However, they can be beneficial for strengthening your teeth and preventing oral health issues, particularly cavities. This can save you money on dental treatments in the future. Pediatric dentists often recommend these treatments for kids. Your dentist might also recommend a fluoride treatment if you are at a higher risk of developing cavities.

Should I Get the Fluoride Treatment That the Dentist Is Offering?

Deciding whether to get the fluoride treatment your dentist offers is a personal decision. If you choose to get these treatments from your dentist, the timing can vary depending on your situation. It's usually applied every three to 12 months.

It's typically beneficial for people who have a high risk of tooth decay. This includes people who have dry mouth due to various medication conditions because saliva helps remove bacteria and food particles that can cause decay. People with gum disease, crowns, bridges, braces and partial dentures can also have a higher risk of tooth decay and might benefit from fluoride treatments.

Cost is another factor. While dental insurance often pays for fluoride treatments for kids, it doesn't usually cover adults. You can expect each fluoride application to cost between $20 and $50 (CAD 27 and CAD 67). It's a relatively inexpensive treatment and can prevent more extensive dental treatments, but it's an added expense.

If you're not sure whether you need treatment, discuss it with your dentist. Your dentist should discuss the pros and cons with you and explain why they feel you would benefit from the treatment. Dental professionals shouldn't pressure you into treatments or sound like a salesperson. If you feel you're being pressured, consider switching to a different dentist or getting a second opinion.

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Is Fluoride Dangerous?

Exposure to high doses of fluoride can be dangerous, but this rarely happens. Fluorosis can happen if you consume too much fluoride. This usually happens in younger kids and causes spots on the teeth. Acute fluoride toxicity is rare and typically only happens if someone overdoses on fluoride supplement pills. This can cause nausea, diarrhea, exhaustion or increased sweating.

Your dental professional will calculate the correct amount of fluoride to use for your in-office treatment. While the dose is higher, it's still in a safe range, and these treatments aren't done frequently. You can protect your teeth between treatments by using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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