Fluoride Treatment
Preventing tooth decay
You may have heard the terms “demineralization” or “remineralization” when it comes to teeth decay. Demineralization makes the enamel soft and our teeth more susceptible to decay, while remineralization is a process that combats demineralization. Fluoride treatment for children’s teeth helps avoid demineralization of teeth and is a great tool used to help prevent tooth decay by as much as 70 percent. It’s naturally occurring in different amounts in the human body, soil and in certain foods. Fluoride helps to promote the remineralization process and supports the dental health of both adults and children.
Benefits of fluoride for children
You may ask, “how does fluoride prevent cavities?” In dentistry, fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. It has proven so effective that many areas of the country add small levels of fluoride to their water systems. Fluoride can also be found in most toothpastes or fluoridated water. The benefits of using fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.
Fluoride treatment
To help your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong, we recommend patients receive a fluoride treatment as part of their regular exam and cleaning. Receiving a fluoride treatment takes just a few minutes. During the treatment, a concentrated fluoride paste will be applied to your child’s teeth and left to sit for several minutes. After the fluoride is applied, your child may be asked not to eat, drink, or rinse for at least 30 minutes.
Costs of fluoride treatments
We recommend reaching out to your dental insurance to determine the costs associated with fluoride treatments for kids. Depending on the company, fluoride treatments may be covered fully or partially by insurance or there may be some out-of-pocket costs.
