Up to the age of 16, routine fluoride treatments help children and adolescents, but adults can also benefit from additional fluoride protection, particularly if they have conditions that raise their risk of decay. Fluoride is a chemical found in many foods, in water, in toothpaste and in mouthwashes. Its main benefit is that it helps maintain the strength, health and resistance of the enamel against the acids produced by plaque and carbohydrates in our mouths.
The fluoride level in our bodies changes from day to day. Fluoride is taken up naturally but is also lost when the enamel is damaged by plaque bacteria. When we eventually lose more fluoride than we store, tooth wear and decay result. In that case fluoride treatments can help. They can help adults prevent decay, even though they are often associated with young people.
How can fluoride treatments help adults?
- You frequently have a dry mouth. A dry mouth makes it harder to rinse away food particles and neutralise acids, which raises the risk of decay. Dryness is frequently caused by psychological conditions, certain medicines, ageing, smoking and particular illnesses.
- Gum disease and receding gums can mean more tooth surface is exposed to bacteria, which raises the risk.
- You have already had dental work. Some procedures, among them crowns, implants and even braces, can raise your risk, particularly where the crown meets the enamel beneath or where the brackets of your brace sit.
- You have had a lot of decay in the past. If you get a cavity every year or two, you could benefit from additional treatments.
- You snack frequently. Decay is more likely the more often you eat through the day. The main nutrients for plaque are carbohydrates and sugar, which most snacks contain in abundance.
- Your teeth have considerable pits and fissures. Even if you floss and brush regularly, it is not always easy to remove all the extra food debris that can gather in these areas. When those pieces get stuck, your teeth are exposed to plaque for longer.
Fluoride treatment at the practice
Fluoride treatments are recommended at the practice because they strengthen the teeth by reacting with the minerals already present in them. We all know that decay is a problem of the tooth structure — enamel, dentine and cementum. Natural teeth are highly resistant to decay thanks to the binding properties of fluoride, both internally in developing teeth and externally.
Recommendations for fluoride treatment work best when the patient understands the benefits. Any communication problems can be resolved and the results improved by giving patients the freedom to decide for themselves rather than merely informing them. The likelihood of developing decay rises with age. Adult patients become more actively involved in decisions about their oral health through individual examinations and conversations about their current state of health and their habits. They are more willing to agree to the treatment plan when they understand why fluoride treatments are recommended and what benefits the therapy brings.
How a fluoride treatment is carried out
In a fluoride varnish treatment, fluoride is applied to the outside of the teeth. In this quick, simple and painless procedure at the practice, the varnish is applied directly and it often takes only a few minutes. Compared with mouthwashes and rinses, these treatments contain far more fluoride. The strength, decay resistance and sensitivity of your teeth can be considerably improved by fluoride treatments. If you are prone to decay, an increased fluoride supply can help keep your teeth free of it. Considering the cost and the nuisance of fillings, these treatments are worth regarding as excellent protection.
