Fluoride Treatments – DuPont, WA
Fluoride Treatments
in DuPont
What kind of water do you drink? Do you prefer bottled, sparking, flavored or tap? Chances are if you and your family drink any kind of bottled water then you are not getting a sufficient amount of fluoride. This mineral has been proven to strengthen the enamel of your teeth and thereby help in the fight against tooth decay. The municipalities around DuPont fluoridate the drinking water, a practice that is common across the country in order to ensure that people are getting enough fluoride in their diets.
Even with fluoridation, your teeth may need fluoride treatments in DuPont, WA. The dentists at DuPont Family Dentistry routinely recommend these treatments for children, but even adults can benefit from an added amount of fluoride as well.
Why Choose DuPont Family Dentistry for Fluoride Treatments?
- Children and Adults Welcome
- Early Appointments Available
- Fully Personalized Treatments
Basic Information
about Fluoride
In nature, fluoride is found in rocks and soil as well as groundwater such as wells and springs that are in close contact with surrounding rock. Fluoride is also found in rivers, streams, and lakes but in a reduced concentration.
Today, you will also find fluoride when you turn on the tap in your home. Early in the 20th century, scientists discovered that people who drank water with fluoride had fewer cavities than those who did not. Once municipalities started to add fluoride to drinking water, there was a marked drop in the occurrence of tooth decay.
The Way Fluoride Works
Two things happen in your mouth that affect the chances of tooth decay. On the one hand, mineral loss or demineralization occurs when plaque acids and sugar begin to eat away at tooth enamel. On the other hand, mineral gain or mineralization happens when you eat or drink foods and water that have minerals, usually fluoride, calcium, and phosphate. Tooth decay happens when mineralization does not keep up with demineralization.
Fluoride Treatments
Whether in foods, water or supplements, fluoride enters the bloodstream and is absorbed into the body. For children, this is especially advantageous because the fluoride is available to their developing teeth in the jaw. In some cases, the dentist may prescribe an oral fluoride supplement for children between the ages of six and 16. However, swallowed fluoride does not benefit teeth in someone over the age of 16.
Fluoride treatments are applied topically after one of your regular visits to our dental office for teeth cleaning in DuPont. Applied as a gel, foam or varnish, the fluoride remains on your teeth for only a few minutes, but the effects are long lasting. In addition, fluoride in the treatments we use is at a greater concentration than in what is found in over-the-counter toothpastes, mouthwashes or even prescriptions. If you are overdue for a checkup, please contact DuPont Family Dentistry today so that our team can treat you to a quality, personalized care experience.