Essenmacher Family Dental

Professional Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride Treatment in Albuquerque, NM

Fluoride is a natural mineral that will strengthen your tooth enamel. As a result, it makes your teeth more resistant to cavities and dental decay. At Essenmacher Family Dentistry, we offer fluoride treatments and other dental services to help protect your teeth from harmful decay-causing bacteria. If you are interested in getting a fluoride treatment, call us today to schedule your dental appointment and let us help you protect your oral health!

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral typically found in water sources and some types of food and helps keep our teeth healthy and strong. In addition, some communities add fluoride to their water supply, which helps protect teeth further and prevent developing tooth decay. Fluoride is available in several forms, including fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, and topical fluoride varnish. It is essential to use products that have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to prevent cavities effectively. If you are not sure whether or not your community fluoridates its water supply, check with your local water department. You can always call our office for more details about fluoride treatments and how they can help keep your teeth healthy.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

Professional fluoride treatments are some of the best ways to protect your teeth against cavities. Fluoride helps to remineralize your teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to bacteria and acids. Some of the top benefits of a fluoride treatment are:

Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities

It is well known that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and cavities, but many people do not understand how fluoride protects their teeth. Fluoride bonds with enamel, hardening your teeth and making them resistant to acids from food and drink. This can protect your teeth from future decay and damage. Fluoride also helps to remineralize early cavities before becoming more significant. With strong enamel, you will have improved dental health and prevent more severe issues.

Prevents Tooth Loss

Tooth decay is one of the leading reasons for tooth loss in dental patients. When you receive regular fluoride treatments to prevent tooth decay and cavities, you also prevent future tooth loss. The fluoride helps keep your teeth healthy and robust and decreases the chances of losing your teeth to decay.

Helps to Avoid More Costly Treatments

Fluoride helps avoid costly treatments that could be necessary later by strengthening your teeth and preventing cavities from forming. It is best to invest in your teeth and oral health to avoid paying even more as you get older. Fluoride is less expensive than reparative services like dental fillings, veneers, bridges, and dentures, which you may require if decay progresses on the chewing surfaces and needs to be repaired.

Fluoride Treatment FAQs

How often should you get a fluoride treatment?

It is recommended to get a professional fluoride treatment at your regular dental visit every six months to help keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free. This will ensure your teeth remain strong and protect them from plaque and bacteria. 

Should children get treatment before their permanent teeth come in?

We often recommend that children get fluoride treatments before their permanent teeth come in. It is essential for children at an increased risk of developing cavities and decay due to poor oral hygiene. It will ensure their developing teeth stay healthy and set up their permanent ones for good health.

What other fluoride options can I incorporate at home?

While most municipalities have added fluoride to drinking water, water fluoridation is insufficient to prevent decay on the tooth surface. Therefore, we recommend including fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes in your daily oral health routine.

Is there such thing as getting too much fluoride?

In most cases, fluoride is safe and effective when directed by a dentist. Ingesting too much fluoride can cause enamel fluorosis, a discoloration of the teeth. However, this is only typically seen in areas where the water has very high levels of naturally occurring fluoride.

Contact Us

If you want to receive a fluoride treatment, our dental office can help. Our team can provide you with a custom fluoride treatment plan that will help protect you and your children’s teeth against cavities and decay. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start protecting your smile!