Fluoride Treatments in Gardena, CA

Your dental health is our top priority at Gardena Dental Group. We know that keeping a healthy smile involves both preventive care and professional treatments. Fluoride treatment is one of the key services we offer to protect and strengthen your teeth.

What Are Fluoride Treatments?

Fluoride treatments involve applying a fluoride-rich varnish to your teeth, which helps to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. Fluoride is a natural mineral found in various foods and water sources. Dentists have been using it for decades as a safe and effective way to enhance dental health.

How Fluoride Works

Fluoride works by remineralizing tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in your mouth. It helps to reverse early signs of tooth decay and can even reduce the risk of cavities. Regular fluoride treatments are especially beneficial for children, but adults can also reap significant advantages from this preventive measure based on their risk factors.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments offer a multitude of benefits for both children and adults, contributing significantly to improved dental health. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Prevents Tooth Decay: Fluoride helps to reduce the risk of cavities by making the tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars.
• Remineralizes Enamel: It aids in remineralization, repairing minor tooth decay before it becomes a cavity.
• Strengthens Teeth: Regular fluoride treatments enhance the strength of your teeth, making them more durable and less susceptible to damage.
• Reduces Sensitivity: Fluoride can help decrease tooth sensitivity, allowing for a more comfortable eating and drinking experience.
• Cost-Effective Preventive Measure: Investing in fluoride treatments can save you money in the long run by preventing more serious dental issues that require expensive procedures.

Who Should Consider Fluoride Treatments?

• Children and Adolescents: Children and adolescents can benefit significantly from fluoride treatments. Fluoride provides the necessary minerals to ensure strong and healthy tooth development as their teeth are still developing. Regular treatments can help prevent early childhood cavities and set the foundation for lifelong dental health.
• Adults: Adults, too, can benefit from fluoride treatments, especially if they have a history of cavities, gum disease, or other dental and health issues. Fluoride helps to maintain the integrity of adult teeth and can be particularly beneficial for those with sensitive teeth or exposed roots.
• Individuals with Braces: If you or your child has braces, fluoride treatments can offer additional protection against cavities. Brackets and wires can make it challenging to clean teeth thoroughly, increasing the risk of decay. Fluoride treatments provide an extra layer of defense.

The Fluoride Treatment Process at Gardena Dental Group

When you visit Gardena Dental Group for a fluoride treatment, you can expect a quick and painless procedure. Our skilled dental professionals will apply a fluoride gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth. The application process typically takes just a few minutes, and you’ll be able to resume your daily activities immediately after.

Post-Treatment Care

After your fluoride treatment, it is recommended that you avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to absorb fully into the enamel. Our highly skilled dentist in Gardena, CA, will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to ensure you get the most out of your treatment.

Is Fluoride Safe?

It is important to note that fluoride can be beneficial to your oral health when used as directed. But like any vitamin or mineral, it is also possible to have too much of a good thing. Excessive fluoride ingestion can result in a condition known as fluorosis, where the teeth become discolored and mottled. The good news is that fluorosis can be avoided with systems in place, such as municipal water filtration, proper fluoride dosing, and talking to a dentist about the right amount of fluoride to use each day.

Young children should always be monitored when using fluoride-containing products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse. While these items can be extremely helpful for their developing smiles, proper dosing is important. If a child ingests large amounts of fluoride toothpaste on an ongoing basis, it could lead to gastrointestinal issues or possible fluorosis.

Is the Fluoride in My Toothpaste Enough?

Like fluoridated tap water, fluoride toothpaste only contains small amounts of this helpful mineral. Applying it to your teeth over time has a cumulative effect of building stronger teeth and reducing the risk of decay. But professional fluoride treatments in Gardena go above and beyond that. Applying a fluoride gel at your dental checkup significantly strengthens teeth to make them more resistant to acidic bacteria between visits. However, it’s still important to use fluoridated oral hygiene products on an everyday basis.

Different Types of Professional Fluoride Applications

Professional fluoride treatments can be performed in several different ways. Some providers offer topical fluoride treatments, where the fluoride is applied directly to the teeth using a foam, gel, or varnish. Another option is a customized delivery system via a tray that fits over the teeth.

Depending on the type of fluoride treatment you receive, you may need to wait up to 30 minutes or more after the appointment before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.

Do I Need Prescription Fluoride?

In addition to these in-office treatments, our Gardena dentist may also prescribe fluoride supplements to use at home each day. These are taken daily and can help to provide additional protection against tooth decay. The most common is a concentrated gel that you brush onto your teeth at bedtime.

Fluoride for Tooth Sensitivity

Fluoride treatments can help with tooth sensitivity by strengthening the enamel and reducing the exposure of the sensitive nerves inside the pores of your teeth. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects it. When it is weak or thinning, it can allow heat, cold, and sweet sensations to reach the nerves more easily, causing discomfort or pain.

If you’re currently whitening your teeth and experiencing bleaching-related tooth sensitivity, fluoride can help relieve your symptoms. Desensitizing treatments typically last about three months at a time.

Schedule Your Fluoride Treatment in Gardena Today

Protecting your teeth from decay and ensuring strong enamel is vital to maintaining your overall oral health. Gardena Dental Group is here to provide you with professional fluoride treatments tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule your fluoride treatment appointment. Let Gardena Dental Group in Gardena, CA, help you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile!

We look forward to welcoming you to our practice and providing you with exceptional dental care!

---

On This Page

• What Are Fluoride Treatments?
• How Fluoride Works
• Benefits of Fluoride Treatments
• Who Should Consider Fluoride Treatments?
• The Fluoride Treatment Process at Gardena Dental Group
• Post-Treatment Care
• Is Fluoride Safe?
• Is the Fluoride in My Toothpaste Enough?
• Different Types of Professional Fluoride Applications
• Do I Need Prescription Fluoride?
• Fluoride for Tooth Sensitivity

Related Topics

• Preventative Dentistry
• Teeth Cleaning
• Dental Exams
• Dental X-Ray

---

---

Hear From Our Patients

---

Helpful links: WebMD (Fluoride Treatment) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)