• Practice Hours:
    Monday – Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
    Saturday 08:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cleaning

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which when ingested help fight cavities. It replaces the calcium in enamel at an atomic level and makes the enamel highly resistant to acid attacks and tooth decay.

Fluoride can be beneficial when ingested with food or water during young age when the enamel is forming. It makes enamel stronger and acid resistant. When used topically it strengthens and remineralizes erupted teeth, can reverse early signs of tooth decay. Topical products include fluoridated toothpaste, mouth rinse, gel and foam. The fluoride you take in from foods and beverages continues to provide a topical benefit because it becomes part of your saliva, constantly bathing the teeth with tiny amounts of fluoride that help rebuild weakened tooth enamel.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have proclaimed community water fluoridation one of ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. Studies have shown that fluoride intake or topical application help prevent tooth decay by at least 25% in children and adults. Fluoride is available in various forms:

1. Fluoridated Toothpastes have decreased the incidence of cavities to a great extent. To achieve the best results:

  • Always Brush Twice Daily as recommended by most dentists.
  • From the time the first tooth erupts to age 3, brush your child's teeth gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Ages 3 to 6 brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Until the age of 6 or 7, when the child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste supervised tooth brushing is highly recommended.

2. Fluoridated Mouthwash can help make your teeth more resistant to decay. Children 6 to 7 years or younger should not use it unless it’s been recommended by a dentist, as they more likely to swallow it than spit it out

3. Fluoride Supplements like tablets, drops, lozenges are available on prescription. These are commonly prescribed in areas with severe short of fluoride content in community water. Commonly prescribed to 6 month old to 16 year old children.

4.Topical Fluoride Application done at a dentist's office is another form of fluoride application. This is a routine preventative service at your Care Dental Clinic, where your dentist can apply fluoride directly to your teeth during your dental visit with a gel, foam or rinse.

Top