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Fluoride treatments may seem only suitable for children, but adults can benefit from them too. Dentists use professional gels or foams that they directly apply onto patients’ teeth for fluoride treatments.
These highly concentrated treatments for tooth decay are particularly helpful for adults at higher risk for cavities or those who use braces that expose more of their teeth to acid.
Furthermore, they protect expensive restorative work like crowns or bridges from being affected.
Fluoride Treatment for Adults
Fluoride treatments offer benefits for both children and adults. Consider these key aspects:
- Decay Prevention: Strengthening enamel, fluoride combats decay from plaque bacteria and sugars, even reversing initial decay signs.
- Remineralization: Fluoride aids in healing weakened tooth surfaces, enhancing enamel health.
- Reduced Cavities: Effective in minimizing cavities among adults.
- Topical Application: Gels, foams, varnishes, or rinses are applied at dental visits.
- Treatment Frequency: Recommended every 3, 6, or 12 months, based on oral health and cavity risk.
Fluoride is safe and useful when properly used, but excessive amounts can be harmful. Adhere to guidelines and supervise children.
Fluoride treatments bolster adult oral health, prevent decay, and fortify enamel. Consult your dentist for suitable treatment frequency and type.
Strengthens Enamel
Fluoride has long been recognized as nature’s cavity fighter.
Dentists have used it for over seventy years to help reduce tooth decay and avoid more extensive dental procedures by remineralizing enamel and strengthening it against acid attacks from bacteria that could potentially cause cavities.
Fluoride helps strengthen our tooth enamel by disrupting bacteria that produce acids that erode it, strengthening it back up again so as to prevent cavities or reverse early tooth decay. Fluoride works to stop this cycle and can even reverse early tooth decay! By doing this, fluoride helps us prevent cavities as well as reverse early tooth decay!
Reduces Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can be an enormously uncomfortable problem for many. Even those who take great care in caring for their teeth can still find that simple activities such as eating ice cream and sipping their morning coffee cause significant pain.
Fluoride helps reduce tooth sensitivity by strengthening teeth against acid attacks in the mouth, and reverses early decay.
Patients can receive professional fluoride treatments after regular cleanings, but can also use toothpaste containing fluoride to strengthen teeth between visits to the dentist.
Fluoride treatments come in gel, foam and varnish forms; after receiving one of these treatments it’s advisable to refrain from eating hot or crunchy foods so as to allow enough time for the varnish to adhere to enamel surfaces.
Prevents Dry Mouth
Although most adults with good oral health receive enough fluoride from regular brushing and rinsing with toothpaste, mouth rinses, and fluoridated public water supplies, others may require professional fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel protection of their teeth.
These quick and painless procedures help strengthen tooth enamel for stronger protection.
Saliva helps neutralize acids that attack tooth enamel, but dry mouth (commonly known by its French acronym xerostomia) causes saliva production to decline and thus increases your risk for cavities as bacteria producing acid damage teeth more readily than they would normally.
Professionally administered topical fluoride treatments can help relieve dry mouth. This involves painting gel, foam or varnish directly onto teeth or placing a tray similar to what one would find in a mouthguard-type system.
Prevents Gum Recession
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in our drinking water in small concentrations and has been used as an effective means to combat tooth decay for over 50 years. Topical fluorides applied directly to teeth as gel, foam or varnish provide additional protection and may repair early tooth decay between and underneath flat surfaces of teeth as well as on their grooved surfaces.
Recessing gums increase the risk for tooth decay as they expose more root surface area of their teeth to bacteria. Fluoride can protect these more difficult-to-clean regions with regular treatments; additionally, multiple dental restorations such as fillings and crowns could benefit from using fluoride treatments to protect their margins.
Prevents Root Decay
Adults who do not get enough fluoride from diet, toothpaste or mouth rinse may benefit from receiving an in-office fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay and stop acid erosion of enamel.
Although fluoride cannot reverse damage already done to teeth, it can remineralize areas which have been attacked by bacteria to strengthen the outer surfaces and remineralize any spots where decay may have begun to form.
Adults with receding gums are at higher risk for root decay than others due to the soft cementum covering their roots, which is far more vulnerable than tooth enamel to bacteria attack. Fluoride treatment can also protect fillings, crowns and bridges to keep them stronger and less likely to decay.
Prevents Tooth Whitening
Adults at high risk for tooth decay can benefit from fluoride treatments in addition to regular oral care, which include topical fluorides such as toothpaste or mouthwash that apply the fluorides directly onto teeth surfaces and systemic fluorides which are consumed through community water sources, dental products such as toothpaste or mouth rinse, or through dietary supplements.
Bacteria form a sticky film of plaque on teeth that gradually wears away at enamel and exposes dentine, as its acid attacks the minerals needed for strong, healthy enamel – calcium and phosphorous in particular – crucial for their structure and wellbeing.
Fluoride works to repair this damage through remineralization processes such as fluoridation.
How Often Should Adults Get Fluoride Treatments
As per the American Dental Association (ADA), adults should receive fluoride treatments every 3, 6, or 12 months. The schedule depends on their oral health and cavity risk.
Treatment frequency considers dental history and diet. Consult your dentist to decide the suitable fluoride treatment type and frequency for your individual requirements.
What Are the Side Effects of Fluoride Treatments
While proper use makes fluoride treatments generally safe, potential side effects exist. These include:
- Tooth Discoloration: Excessive treatments lead to tooth discoloration, with small white spots or streaks.
- Brittle Bones: Beneficial for bones in moderation, excess fluoride renders bones brittle.
- Skin Irritations: Rarely, treatments cause minor skin issues like acne.
- Fluorosis: Common effect, tooth discoloration due to excessive fluoride. Spots vary in color.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Overdose results in mouth burning, sore tongue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased saliva, stomach pain/cramping, and muscle weakness.
- Weakened Bones and Ligaments: Excess fluoride weakens bones and ligaments, leading to muscle weakness and nervous system problems.
Note that these effects stem from excessive intake or misuse. Administered by professionals following guidelines, treatments carry minimal risk. Consult a dentist for suitable fluoride treatment, addressing concerns.
Is Fluoride Treatment Covered by Dental Insurance
Fluoride treatment coverage hinges on plan and patient age. Generally, children are covered; adults, less often.
However, some dental plans might cover in-office fluoride varnish treatment for adults. For specific details, contact your dental insurance provider.
In some instances, adults may need to self-fund fluoride treatments, with costs ranging from $10 to $30 or more. It’s advisable to inquire about costs from your dentist beforehand.
