Throughout the course of an average day acidic food and drink as well as the natural bacteria in your mouth, can attack the microscopic mineral structure of your tooth enamel. This process is known as demineralization. If demineralization is left unchecked for a long period of time it will weaken the structure of your tooth enamel and can lead to tooth sensitivity and make your teeth more prone to developing cavities.
Regular fluoride exposure can restore these lost minerals on a microscopic basis in a process known as remineralization. If you don’t have sufficient fluoride exposure in your average day, your dentist might recommend a fluoride treatment. The procedure is quick and can usually be performed at the end of your dental checkup.
The dentist pours a small amount of concentrated fluoride gel into trays that are inserted into your mouth and held there for a short period of time. You should avoid eating or drinking for an hour after the treatment to allow the fluoride to deeply saturate the tooth enamel.
As a follow up treatment our dentist might also prescribe a fluoride supplement. The supplement might be sublingual tabs, placed under the tongue or a concentrated fluoride gel and mouth rinse.
If you have questions about dental fluoride treatment, please call us at 318-631-1100 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!