Adults And Fluoride Treatments: What You Should Know

11 April 2018
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Many dental insurance companies only cover the cost of fluoride treatments for children and not for adults, but this does not mean that adults should not get fluoride treatments. Getting a fluoride treatment at each dental checkup is a great way to strengthen your teeth, even as an adult, and here are a few things you should understand about fluoride.

Fluoride is one of the only materials that strengthens enamel

Enamel is a very important part of your teeth, and it can wear off as you age. When it wears off, there is nothing you can really do to get it back; however, fluoride is a mineral that helps rebuild and strengthen the enamel you have. Fluoride is the only material that has this ability, and this is one of the top reasons dentists recommend fluoride treatments for people of all ages. Fluoride treatments can be especially helpful for people with sensitive teeth and for people who have gone through a lot of dental procedures in their life.

Fluoride helps in several ways

Fluoride strengthens enamel, but do you understand why this is so important? Enamel is the only thing your teeth have to protect them. When the enamel is gone, your teeth are left vulnerable to cavities and other problems. Going through a fluoride treatment makes your teeth harder and stronger, and this is primarily because fluoride is very similar to calcium, and calcium is something you can consume for strong teeth and bones.

The fluoride treatment will also protect any areas of your teeth that have no enamel on them. When there is a spot on a tooth without enamel, it leaves the inner layer of the tooth exposed, and this is what causes sensitivity with teeth. If you want your teeth to feel less sensitive, getting fluoride treatments can help a lot.

You should follow the instructions the dentist gives you

After getting a fluoride treatment, the dentist may tell you to avoid eating and drinking anything for a certain amount of time. This time frame is usually 30 to 60 minutes, and it is very important to follow this. Letting the fluoride rest on your teeth during this time helps your teeth to absorb it completely, and this will improve the effectiveness of the fluoride treatment.

If you would like to get your teeth examined and cleaned, contact a family dentistry clinic today. When you visit your dentist, you can talk to him or her about fluoride treatments to see what your dentist recommends.