Fluoride SHERMAN OAKS
Fluoride services offered in Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, CA
What is fluoride used for?
For human health, fluoride is mainly used to improve dental health. You can sometimes find it in your local water supply and various over-the-counter (OTC) products, like:
- All Toothpaste
- Mouth Wash
- Maximum supplements
If you tend to get a lot of cavities, your dentist Sherman Oaks will suggest you of using a prescription mouth rinse with fluoride. These mouth rinses generally have a higher concentration of fluoride than OTC options do. Fluoride is also used in medical imaging scans, like PET scans.
What are the benefits of Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride treatment is very beneficial to teeth because it helps to:
- Rebuilding (remineralizing) weakened tooth enamel
- Slowing down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
- Reversing early signs of tooth decay
- Preventing the growth of harmful oral bacteria
Usually, when bacteria in your mouth break down sugar and carbs, they produce acids that eat away the minerals in your tooth enamel. This loss of minerals from your tooth enamel is called demineralization. The weakened tooth enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to bacteria that cause cavities.
Fluoride treatment also helps to remineralize your tooth enamel, which can prevent cavities and reverse early signs of tooth decay.
Advantages of Fluoride Fluoride treatments
Fluoride treatment plays an important role to protect your teeth in the following ways:
- Acids in your mouth are formed when bacteria consume sugar, or from the foods themselves. These acids will dissolve or demineralize the enamel on a tooth. Fluoride helps in protecting your teeth from this process.
- When the fluoride is present during remineralization, the minerals deposited are harder than they would be without fluoride. This strengthens the enamel and protects against any further damage to the enamel.
One of the easy ways to increase fluoride levels is through fluoridated water. Floss hygienists always recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste that has the approved ADA seal.
Do babies need Fluoride treatment?
Disadvantages of fluoride
Fluorosis
Is Fluoride Bad for Babies?
A little fluoride for babies is not bad, but as with most things, too much fluoride can be. Babies and children need less fluoride than adults, very small doses of fluoride aren’t harmful to babies smaller than 6 months old. Once babies’ teeth begin to come in, oral hygiene begins too. The addition of dental hygiene practices, with fluoride toothpaste, protects the new teeth. It is advisable to use a dab of toothpaste no bigger than the size of a grain of rice for babies, as they are apt to swallow the toothpaste. Babies must have their first dental appointment by their first birthday, and a pediatric dentist can advise you on how to best get your little one on the right track to maintain dental hygiene.