Services

Fluoride Applications

Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.

The outermost layer of our teeth, the enamel, is made up of microcrystals made from:

• Calcium
• Fluoride
• Phosphate
• And other minerals!

Calcium is a common mineral and one that’s also found in our bones. The other minerals, especially fluoride, are often lacking in modern Western diets. When an individual is fluoride deficient for long enough, their enamel starts to deteriorate. This can cause problems like:

• Tooth discoloration
• Chipped and broken teeth
• Cavities and tooth decay

A common belief is that fluoride can only benefit children. It is true that the mineral is a strong tooth strengthener for kids, who are in particular need of minerals when they’re growing up; however, fluoride can have a host of benefits for adults as well.

Fluoride’s Benefits

The main benefit of fluoride is that it helps teeth get the minerals they need to replenish the minerals that make up the enamel, the outermost layer, but that’s just one of the things fluoride can do for you. It can also:

• Protect dental enamel from acids produced by bacteria
• Enter the bloodstream and saliva, creating an environment in which your teeth are constantly getting all the minerals they need
• Protect your teeth from cavities and discoloration by keeping them strong and resistant to outside factors

Even though most dental products contain fluoride and can strengthen your teeth, the methods dentists use to apply fluoride directly to the enamel are significantly more effective. The gels we use are absorbed by your teeth a lot faster than the fluoride you find in toothpaste - and if you’re already deficient in the mineral, this is a key benefit.

Fluoride For Kids

Children’s teeth are particularly vulnerable - and not just because kids tend to have poor dental hygiene. We go through two sets of teeth by the time we’re teens, and all that growth requires a lot of minerals; especially fluoride. If you want your child to have strong, healthy teeth and a beautiful, natural-looking smile, regular fluoride treatments are recommended.

To find out if fluoride applications are right for you, get more information (and a free quote) from our staff by picking up the phone and calling H-Town Smiles at (713) 682-7233 today!