If you are looking for a safe and effective way to help prevent cavities in addition to your normal oral hygiene routine, a fluoride treatment might be right for you or your children. Dentist of Bixby Knolls offers these treatments to both children and adults here in the North Long Beach and Bixby Knolls area.
A fluoride treatment involves the application of fluoride directly to your teeth to provide an added barrier to tooth decay. Your teeth absorb the fluoride and become more resistant to the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth when you eat or drink. Fluoride treatments also speed up the remineralization process.
Getting a fluoride treatment significantly strengthens your tooth enamel, helping it resist damage. A fluoride treatment cannot restore tooth enamel that has already been lost, but it can prevent additional damage to your teeth. The American Dental Association says a fluoride treatment can reduce tooth decay by 25 percent in both adults and children.
A fluoride treatment is normally applied in the Bixby Knolls office right after a routine dental cleaning. A dental hygienist will apply the fluoride in gel or foam form to your teeth and leave it for a short period of time, after which you will rinse out the excess. You will be asked to refrain from eating and drinking for half an hour after the treatment to allow the fluoride enough time to absorb.
For smaller children, the fluoride will be applied in the form of a varnish with a small brush to ensure an even application of the amount of fluoride.
Yes, fluoride treatments are safe. The amount of fluoride used in fluoride treatments is not enough to cause harm. The most common problem related to fluoride is fluorosis, which occurs in young children who have been exposed to too much fluoride. The amount of fluoride involved in a fluoride treatment is much too small to cause this issue.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance. It is the mineral form of the element fluorine, the ninth element in the periodic table. It can be found in soil and rocks around the world and even exists naturally in some food and water sources. It is often added to city water supplies to help reduce the formation of cavities in the overall population.
Fluoride treatments are an affordable way to help protect your smile. All or part of the cost is covered by most dental insurance plans for both children and adults. If your insurance does not cover the treatments, you can expect to pay between $10 and $30 per tooth.
Our staff will contact your insurance and find out if the treatment is covered beforehand and let you know what your portion will be so you will not be surprised. Dentist of Bixby Knolls also offers several financing options to help you get the care you need to protect your smile. Ask our staff if you would like to know more about these options.
Fluoride treatments are particularly effective at reducing tooth decay in infants, preschool, and school-age children. Children can have their first fluoride treatment as soon as their first tooth comes in and can then have them periodically as needed throughout childhood.
Call Dentist of Bixby Knolls at (562) 287-5175 today to make your first appointment!
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