Dental Information Center

Fluoride Treatments...

Many of our adult patients have asked why we administer fluoride treatment following their dental cleanings.

Current research has shown that the polishing process, which is vital to remove plaque and stain from the tooth surface, also removes the outer most layer of the enamel. This outer most “crust”, while extremely thin, is also very fluoride rich. This fluoride rich layer is what provides protection against tooth decay. Since we now know that we polish off this layer, the fluoride treatment becomes vital to replenishing the decay preventative layer.

We are also finding that many adult patients suffer from xerostomia, or dry mouth. This can be the result of medications, radiation therapy, or simply the aging process. A very dry mouth creates a wonderful incubator for bacteria and makes these patients very susceptible to decay, especially root decay. Studies have shown that fluoride treatments help prevent the decay and sensitivity that these patients suffer.

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