Fluoride Treatment
Tigard, OR
 Poor oral hygiene and diet can lead to tooth decay which, if left untreated, can lead to severe dental problems like loss of teeth. In order to avoid this, Dr.Brian Saklofsky, DMD and recommend preventative dentistry treatments at Lincoln Center Smiles.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment offers a range of benefits for children and adults alike. Fluoride is not just limited to dentistry for kids. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help fortify your enamel against bacterial attacks and prevent tooth decay. In addition, it also remineralizes the outer layer of the teeth, the enamel, to protect your teeth from further tooth decay.
Aside from this, fluoride treatment also helps prevent the proliferation of bacteria and prevent the decay from penetrating deeper into your teeth.
Who is a Candidate for Fluoride Treatment?
People who can benefit from a professional fluoride treatment include:
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People who have poor oral hygiene and dietary habits
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Patients undergoing cancer treatment
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People on medication that reduce the flow of saliva or rate of fluoride absorption
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People who consume a high sugar diet
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People who excessively consume alcohol or smoke
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People with sensitive teeth and gum recession
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People who are deficient in Vitamin C
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People who have an eating disorder
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People with oral devices, like bridges and crowns |
Fluoride Treatment for Children
Children who are younger than two years of age should use toothpaste that is free of fluoride. If too much fluoride is taken by the child before their adult teeth come in, it can lead to a condition known as dental fluorosis, which can result in chalky and discolored striations across the child’s teeth.
You should supervise your child when they are brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Be careful and only let them use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and ensure they rinse out their mouth when they are finished.
At Lincoln Center Smiles, we can offer fluoride treatment to your child in a safe way. We use only a very small amount of fluoride to fortify your child’s teeth and ensure no fluoride is swallowed.
Side Effects of Fluoride
Too much fluoride can have adverse side effects, just like any other medication. You can get too much fluoride by accidentally overdosing on supplements. Even so, cases of fluoride poisoning are very rare these days. However, too much fluoride can negatively affect the developing teeth and bones in young children.
Too much fluoride can result in complications like:
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White specks or lines on adult teeth
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Pitted or stained teeth
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Issues with bone homeostasis
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Dense bones that are not very strong |
Therefore, it is important to keep fluoride supplements and toothpaste out of reach of your children.
Fluoride Treatment Aftercare
When you receive a fluoride treatment at Lincoln Center Smiles, we will check the health of your teeth and will administer the fluoride in the form of a rinse, gel, or foam. The procedure takes less than half an hour to perform and no anesthesia is required for it.
Here are some things you need to be careful of after a fluoride treatment:
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You should not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour
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You should not brush or floss your teeth for six hours
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You can start eating hard food six hours after the procedure |
If you think you are at high risk of tooth decay, it is a good idea to discuss fluoride treatment with Dr.Brian Saklofsky, DMD and . Schedule a consultation with us today by calling (503) 598-0898.
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