Tooth decay among adults in the U.S. has decreased in recent years, but it’s still a common dental problem. Fluoride treatments can provide you with protection from tooth decay by making your tooth enamel stronger. At Lovett Dental Gulfgate, we offer these treatments if you’re not getting enough fluoride at home and have specific dental issues. Find out more about fluoride treatment in Houston, Texas to keep you safe from tooth decay. Through our general dentistry services, you will be able to put your best smile forward.

How Fluoride Treatments WorkA little girl gets fluoride treatments in TX at a dentist's office

Fluoride is a mineral found in some foods and sources of water. When you get fluoride from food or water, your tooth enamel absorbs this mineral. Fluoride then repairs tooth enamel and makes it stronger, which is known as remineralization. Tooth enamel provides your teeth with protection from bacteria and plaque that lead to tooth decay. When this enamel becomes worn, your teeth can end up decaying over time. Having fluoride treatments helps prevent this from occurring and can also repair decay in the early stages.

Benefits of Flouride

Dentists might recommend having fluoride treatments done for several reasons, such as:

  • Not getting enough fluoride from local drinking water sources
  • Having signs of tooth decay, such as pits in the teeth
  • Having a history of tooth decay in recent years
  • Eating a diet filled with a high amount of carbs and sugar
  • Lacking good oral hygiene practices, such as not brushing and flossing regularly or having routine cleanings done
  • Having root surfaces that are exposed
  • Low supply of saliva from underlying health conditions or medications

Keep in mind that you naturally get some fluoride in certain foods and from your tap water if your town or city adds this mineral to local water supplies. You can also get fluoride regularly by using oral care products that contain this mineral, such as particular toothpaste or mouthwash products. In some cases, this still isn’t enough to provide your teeth with proper protection from tooth decay. Your dentist can let you know if fluoride treatments are right for you.

Children typically have fluoride treatments done as part of their routine dental cleanings twice a year. These treatments through pediatric dental services help protect their baby teeth from tooth decay that can cause problems with tooth development.

While fluoride treatments effectively reduce the risk of cavities, they’re only part of tooth decay prevention. You’ll also need to make sure that you’re brushing and flossing your teeth and gums daily to keep them healthy. You’ll need to have dental cleanings in Houston, Texas, done twice a year as well.

What to Expect from Fluoride Treatments

Dentists usually do topical fluoride treatments for adults and children. These treatments involve having fluoride applied to your teeth in a gel form or another form during your cleaning. With gel forms, you can expect to have a mouthguard filled with this substance in your mouth for a few minutes. You might need to avoid drinking or eating for a short time afterward.

Fluoride treatments might also come in forms that you can administer at home, such as applying a gel to your teeth. Infants and younger children sometimes take fluoride supplements to strengthen their teeth, including teeth that haven’t come through the gums yet. Dentists monitor this type of fluoride treatment carefully to lower the risk of having white spots appear on developing teeth.

Visit Us for Fluoride Treatments

If you need fluoride treatment in Southeast Houston, please contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate at 713-847-8822 today to schedule an appointment. Our dentists can provide you with a topical fluoride treatment to protect your teeth from decay.