Preventative Dental Care
Fluoride Treatment
Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease in all of North America. One very cost-effective and simple way to prevent it is daily fluoride use.
Fluoride is absorbed by the teeth, and hardens the tooth enamel. In this way, small areas that have begun to decay can be remineralized
Two fluoride delivery systems
- Systemic Fluoride
Systemic fluoride delivery occurs when an individual digests fluoridated water or food containing fluoride. This fluoride is delivered by the blood stream to the tooth, and is absorbed into the tooth, making it more acid-resistant. Systemic delivery is very effective in preventing tooth decay in young children under the age of ten.
Fluoride naturally occurs in most water sources and in many cities is intentionally added. Many juices and bottle fluids also contain added fluoride. To avoid ingesting too much fluoride, it is very important to have your drinking water tested for fluoride levels. Your local health department can do this at a very minimal cost. - Topical Fluoride
Topical fluoride is applied to the tooth directly. Your child's teeth will experience the greatest benefit from systemic fluoride before the age of ten, but topical fluoride remains beneficial throughout life. Topical fluoride delivery is available through many products: toothpastes, mouthwashes, fluoride gels and foams.
Who Benefits from Topical Fluoride?
- Adults or children with past cavities
- Dry mouth sufferers
- Adults with receding gums and exposed roots
Fluoride Safety
Fluoride is an excellent way of preventing cavities, but it can cause fluoride toxicity if abused.
Fluoride toxicity results from excessive ingestion of fluoride or fluoride products. The symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and they usually become evident within 30 minutes, lasting up to 24 hours.
If you suspect that you or your child may be experiencing fluoride toxicity please contact your physician immediately!
Quick Fluoride Tips
- Only allow a pea sized dab of toothpaste on your child's toothbrush
- Children under the age of six should not be given fluoride mouthwashes
- Keep fluoridated products out of the reach of your children
- Always supervise fluoridated product use!
We offer fluoride treatments for patients of all ages. All children up to the age of 18 receive them at every dental cleaning appointment. Adults benefit from these treatments but children receive the greatest benefit.
How fluoride treatments are done
A fluoride treatment is extremely simple and can be done when you visit us for your professional cleanings every six months. There are two methods for applying the fluoride treatment:
- Paint a thin layer of a fluoride gel onto the teeth and leave it for a few minutes
- Put a gel containing the fluoride into a mouthguard that you will wear for four to five minutes, until the fluoride seeps into the tooth enamel.
" The dental procedures we specialize in enhance our
patients' look and their quality of life! "
If you are located in Lansing, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Howell, or Brighton, Michigan and would like to make fluoride treatments a part of your preventative dental care program, contact us today to set up an appointment!
