About 39 percent of Canadians have access to fluoridated water. The reason behind adding fluoride to the drinking water of the world’s population was to help prevent and reduce tooth decay. The water supply in the Lower Mainland is not fluoridated. A mineral that is inherent in foods, fluoride protects our teeth from the plaque, acids, and bacteria that attack our teeth every day through a process called demineralization. Our teeth lose essential minerals and suffer from weakened enamel which can lead to cavities and other dental health problems. Remineralization is a process by which calcium and fluoride can be reabsorbed by the teeth and enamel to strengthen them. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your teeth and overall dental wellbeing is to ask your dentist for a fluoride treatment.
A fluoride treatment consists of the application of a varnish, gel, or foam containing a concentrated amount of fluoride to the teeth. It really is that simple. Some of them even have a pleasant taste, such as a mint or fruit flavor. The application takes only a few minutes and is hardly noticeable. The only requirement a patient has afterward is to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to bond to the surfaces of the teeth.
Compared to the costs of having fillings, crowns, or other dental treatments, fluoride treatments are inexpensive and very effective. The costs can vary depending on the type of application and the provider but generally cost around $20. Your dentist is the most qualified to decide how many treatments you would need over the course of a year.
Flouride treatments provide many benefits.
- Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral as opposed to a chemical. It is perfectly safe and is found in the foods we eat and supplemented in our drinking water, toothpastes, and mouthwashes.
- Treatments strengthen enamel through the process of remineralization.
- Tooth decay, cavities, and tooth loss are warded off by the use of fluoride.
- Flouride treatments cost far less than fillings and other dental treatments that result from poor dental health.
Anyone from children to seniors can benefit from fluoride treatments. The professionals at Atlantis Dental Roundhouse can evaluate your dental health and set a schedule for fluoride treatment that is best for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.