Just about everybody in America has heard of fluoride because it’s in our toothpaste and our tap water. In fact, many people have even had fluoride treatement at the dentist’s office, but many dental patients simply smile and nod when offered the treatment, accepting it without really knowing what it does. There are a handful of really important benefits to fluoride treatments, which is why Jamestowne South Dental offers them.

The following is a look at what those benefits are and why Jamestowne South Dental’s patients should consider getting fluoride treatment as an important part of preventative dental care during their next trip to the dentist’s office.

The Benefits of Fluoride

The most notable benefits of fluoride treatments include:

• Restoring minerals to teeth, thereby restoring eroded enamel
• Limiting the growth of oral bacteria that can lead to cavities
• Building stronger teeth in children so they are less prone to cavities as adults
• Decreasing the likelihood of getting a cavity

Think of fluoride as a shield against cavities. It supports the healthy tooth enamel and fights the bacteria that could cause those teeth any harm. When it comes to dental hygiene, cavities are the enemy, and this mineral treatment is a great way to ensure that the enemy doesn’t invade your teeth.

What Happens During a Fluoride Treatment?

For those who have never had a fluoride treatment, they are a painless, noninvasive procedure that doesn’t take much time at all. At your next dentist appointment, Jamestowne South Dental’s staff of dental hygienists will bring in the fluoride, which can come in the form of a rinse, foam, gel, or varnish. Depending on the form of the treatment, the hygienist will apply it using a swab, brush, tray, or as a mouthwash, and the whole thing should only take a few minutes to finish.

Once you’re done, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything for about a half an hour after the treatment to allow the fluoride to absorb properly into your teeth. Afterward, you can eat and drink normally and enjoy the aforementioned benefits of the fluoride treatment.

How Much Does Fluoride Treatment Cost?

If you’ve got dental insurance, most fluoride treatments are covered for children, though there can be a small out-of-pocket expense for adults. If you would like to know the cost beforehand, simply contact your insurance provider or give our office a call so we can give you a better sense of things. In almost all cases, though, even if there is an expense, it’s a fairly small one. Fillings and root canals, the results of cavities, can be very expensive, so a preventative fluoride treatment is, by contrast, a worthwhile investment.

If you would like to schedule a fluoride treatment as part of your next dental checkup , just let us know and we can make sure you (and your children, if applicable) get what you need. These treatments are beneficial for the long-term health of your teeth, so while regular cleanings are an important part of general dentistry in Bingham Farms, so too are fluoride treatments, which give you one extra layer of protection against harmful oral bacteria and tooth decay.