Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments are recommended for people who are most at risk of developing tooth decay. During this very short treatment, your dentist will apply highly concentrated fluoride on your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, varnish, or rinse. You’ll need to avoid eating for the next half hour so it can fully absorb.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that comes from fluorine. It’s commonly used in dental care because it builds strong teeth and prevents cavities. Fluoride supports healthy tooth enamel and fights harmful bacteria found in the teeth and gums. You can take fluoride either topically (toothpaste, mouth rinses, etc.) or systemically (fluoridated water and dietary fluoride supplements.)

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments offer numerous benefits! Along with getting the optimal amount of fluoride intake, these treatments can also help with the following:

• Protects enamel
• Prevents premature tooth loss
• Prevents cavities
• Puts minerals back in your teeth
• Reduces the need for expensive dental work

Fluoride Recommendation for Children and Adults

Fluoride recommendations vary for adults based on how at-risk you are for developing cavities. Generally, those with a higher risk should get professional fluoride treatments twice a year. For daily intake, 1.5 to 4 mg is recommended.

Children can get fluoride treatments once their first tooth erupts – it’s excellent for prolonging the life of baby teeth. They can also get professional fluoride treatments about once every three to six months. Depending on the child’s age, daily intake should be between 0.1 to 2.5 mg.