Fluoride Treatments in Buffalo, NY
Experienced Williamsville Dentist Providing Affordable Fluoride Treatments in WNY
Fluoride, an ion of the element fluorine, is a substance that naturally occurs at low concentrations in fresh water. Because of its usefulness in preserving tooth enamel, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has encouraged states and municipalities to add fluoride to public water supplies, typically in the form of hexafluorosilicic acid (H¬2SiF6).
As of 2010, approximately 73.9% of people in the United States had access to fluoridated public water supplies, and since fluoridation began in 1945, the number of cavities in the United States has sharply declined.
After fluoride is ingested or applied to the teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel, allowing it to remineralize in areas where acids from carbohydrates affect the tooth surface. Fluoride also strengthens enamel, enabling teeth to better withstand the corrosive effects of acids and partially prevent the bacteria in plaque from generating acid. Though fluoride can be found in small amounts in common food sources such as tea, raisins, crab, and shrimp, its addition to drinking water can supplement the use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash in helping suppress the development of dental caries.
According to the American Dental Association, infants, children, and adolescents under 16 years of age have been shown to benefit from dietary fluoride, which can be most easily obtained through multivitamins. Deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth do not even have to have grown in for fluoride to be effective; when fluoride is ingested, it travels through the bloodstream and enters all teeth, regardless of whether they have yet erupted (grown in). In this way, teeth can already have thick, strong enamel coatings by the time they erupt, preventing cavities before they appear.
In pediatric dentistry, it is often recommended that children and infants receive a topical fluoride treatment, a temporary application of a high-fluoride-containing substance to the teeth. In combination with proper brushing, flossing, and a diet low in sugar, this treatment will strengthen enamel and help prevent tooth decay. This type of treatment may be appropriate for some adults as well, since some of us are at higher risk of developing cavities. The process for adults is the same as that for minors: at the end of a teeth cleaning, a highly fluoridated gel is applied to the teeth’s surfaces, left in place for a few minutes, and then removed by rinsing. Individuals who wear braces or similar devices, have chronic dry mouth, and have a genetic predisposition to tooth or root cavities should ask their dentists whether professional fluoride application would be in their best interest.
If you have questions about fluoride treatments or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our office and schedule a consultation with our experienced Buffalo dentist today!