Using Fluoride to Protect Your Teeth
You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and visit the dentist every six months, but did you know that rinsing with fluoride — a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay — also helps keep your teeth healthy and strong?
Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay by coating your teeth and preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth's surface.
Fluoride comes in two varieties, systemic and topical:
- Systemic fluoride is ingested, usually through a public water supply. While teeth are forming under the gums, the fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it stronger and more resistant to cavities.
- Fluoride can also be applied topically to help prevent caries (cavities) on teeth present in the mouth. It is delivered through toothpaste, mouthwash, and professional fluoride applications.
Receiving a fluoride treatment from your dentist
A fluoride treatment in your dentist's office takes just a few minutes and is widely used as caries preventive measure in dental offices. Fluoride varnish is now used in dental offices, school-based settings, and other community setttings as an effective preventive method for decay. Your doctor may also prescribe an at-home fluoride product such as a mouthwash or tooth paste.
