Fluoride treatments and supplements
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that makes teeth stronger. It helps prevent tooth decay. Experts say that the best way to prevent tooth decay is to have multiple sources of fluoride. Fluoride can be found naturally in water in small amounts. Some foods like meat, fish, eggs, and tea contain fluoride. In some areas, it is added in water. Toothpaste, mouth rinses, and professional treatments contain fluoride as well. For more concentrated and specific doses of fluoride, there are prescription fluoride tablets available. These are made specifically for children who lack fluoride.
What is fluoride used for?
The tooth enamel is the outer layer of the tooth. This is the visible part of the tooth. It is made up of closely packed mineral crystals. Everyday, the enamel loses and gains minerals. When the enamel loses minerals, the process is called demineralization. When the enamel gains new minerals, the process is called remineralisation. The two processes balance each other out.
Demineralization starts with the bacteria known to cause plaque on your teeth. This kind of bacteria feed on sugar in your mouth and it also produces acids which dissolve the crystals in your teeth. On the other hand, remineralisation builds the enamel. In this process, minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are deposited into the enamel. If demineralization is greater than remineralisation then there will be tooth decay.
Fluoride makes the teeth stronger by helping speed up remineralisation. It also stops bacteria from producing acids. Your teeth can absorb fluoride in two ways. One way is to ingest fluoride through the food, supplements, and water. Fluoride will enter the bloodstream and it will become part of the permanent teeth while they develop. When the teeth become stronger through fluoride, it will be harder for the acids to destroy it.
Fluoride can be absorbed by your teeth through direct contact as well. Fluoride enters the mouth directly in several ways. Fluoride treatments can be administered at the dental office. You can get fluoride by brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste and by rinsing with fluoridated mouthwash. Fluoride can also be absorbed by your teeth as you drink fluoridated water.
Normally, fluoride treatments are given to children while their teeth are developing. If your child has a history of cavities or if your child is at a high risk of decay then you should consider using fluoride supplements. Fluoride will promote the remineralisation of the teeth. Children usually get these fluoride treatments every six months. These treatments will provide extra protection against cavities on top of drinking fluoridated water.
You can also use fluoride mouth rinses to minimize the risk of cavities and tooth decay. The mouth rinses are recommended for children over the age of six. These fluoridated mouthwashes can be found in the mouthwash section of most pharmacies and supermarkets. You may also find several prescription fluoride rinses and gels that have higher levels of fluoride.
Fluoride supplements are reserved for children between six months old to sixteen years old especially if they do not have a stable supply of fluoridated water. They are available as liquids for younger children and available as tablets for the older ones. You can have your paediatricians or your dentists prescribe it.
Fluoride treatments can help all of your teeth. They will prevent tooth decay in both children and adults. Anyone who is at risk of cavities or tooth decay should consider using fluoride treatments.
What are some of the factors that increase the risk of tooth decay?
Some of the factors that will increase the risks of tooth decay are
- a history of cavities amongst siblings, parents, or other relatives
- inconsistent visits to the dentist
- bad brushing habits
- poor dieting
- frequent snacking
- dry mouths
Several medicines out there can cause your mouth to dry. Some medicines include antihistamines, medicines for high blood pressure, anxiety medications, and medicines for depression. Without enough saliva, tooth decay will accelerate.
How do you prepare for a fluoride treatment?
Your teeth should be clean before you have any kind of in-office fluoride treatment. Your dentist may even need to polish away some stains. If you are already using fluoride rinses or gels at home then you should brush your teeth and floss them thoroughly. It is a good habit to use fluoride treatments before you go to bed. While you sleep, these treatments are less likely to be washed or rinsed away.
How is fluoride treatment administered?
Fluoride treatments have more fluoride than over the counter fluoride mouth rinses or toothpaste. These treatments can be administered on both children and adults. Fluoride treatments at the dental office are also chemically different and they stay on the teeth for longer periods.
There are two very popular fluoride treatments in the field of dentistry. The first one is acidulated phosphate fluoride. It is acidic and has a tendency to leave the mouth dry. It can also cause small pits in composite filings. The second one is neutral sodium fluoride. This is used for people with xerostomia or dry mouth. It is also used on people with tooth-coloured crowns, filings, and bridges. Neutral sodium fluoride is not acidic.
Fluoride may be applied as a gel, foam, or varnish during a dental appointment. First, the teeth are dried so that none of it is diluted. Fluoride is applied by using a tray that looks like a mouth guard. This may take around five minutes. Fluoride may also be painted directly onto the teeth. Fluoride treatments can come in several flavours but they should not be eaten or swallowed.
Fluoride treatments are most commonly administered on children. They are taken in very minute quantities. The daily dose ranges from a quarter of a milligram to a milligram. This amount is based on the child's age and the amount of fluoride in their daily water intake.
Dentists do not prescribe taking in more than two hundred and sixty four milligrams of fluoride tablets at a time. This is because the toxic dose of fluoride for a two year old weighing twenty two pounds is three hundred and twenty milligrams. In order to avoid any chance of overdose, you should not stock up on fluoride tablets. You can talk to your dentist or your physician regarding risks associated with taking fluoride.
Everybody should use fluoridated toothpaste but children should still be careful when using them. Sometimes, they will swallow the toothpaste instead of spitting it out. Give only a pea sized amount of toothpaste to your children when they brush and encourage them to spit out the food as much as possible. Avoid using flavoured toothpaste that may encourage swallowing as well.
When having a fluoride treatment, you should not eat, drink, or smoke for thirty minutes after the treatment. This will help fluoride get in contact with your teeth.
What are the risks associated with fluoride treatments?
Just like other compounds, fluoride is safe and effective when used properly. There are times where it can be hazardous. Fluoride in high doses can be toxic. Water fluoridation systems are checked on a daily basis to ensure that the fluoride levels are safe. Parents must also supervise the use of fluoride products at home including the use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride tables must be stored safely and far from the reach of children.
The toxic doses of fluoride will depend on your weight. For example, a toxic dose of fluoride for an eight year old weighing forty five pounds is six hundred fifty five milligrams. In order to get an idea of this toxicity, one eight ounce glass of water with one part per million of fluoride merely contains a quarter of a milligram of fluoride. A small dab of toothpaste also contains just as much fluoride. When you notice these numbers, you can safely assume that since fluoride is available in such small concentrations, it is very hard to receive a toxic dose of fluoride at home.
When you use fluoride properly, it is safe and effective. Young children have to be supervised during in-office treatments and when they use fluoride products at home. If they swallow too much fluoride then children may become nauseous. Too much fluoride can also cause white spots to form on the enamel of developing teeth. These spots will be visible when the teeth come into the mouth. You must discuss these concerns with your dental professional so that you can get the right recommendations for fluoride dosage and treatment.
When should you call a professional?
You should talk to our dentist about the fluoride products that you are using. Your dentist or hygienist will consider all the sources of supplemental fluoride and recommend which one is the best for you or for your child.