Strengthen Your Smile with Fluoride Treatment
To help protect his patients' smiles and provide effective defense against dental decay, Dr. Matthew A. Turner provides fluoride treatment to his Kansas City, MO, patients. Fluoride treatments are a critical part of any preventive oral health care visit, as they help to prevent cavities in both permanent and primary teeth by strengthening tooth enamel. We typically provide this treatment during biannual dental checkups in addition to a professional cleaning and examination, to help patients achieve a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Fluoride vs. Dental Sealants
Fluoride and dental sealants are the two most common preventive treatments, but they work in different ways. Sealants are applied to the back molars to provide a physical barrier against agents that cause cavities. This can protect the deep ridges and grooves, or the chewing surface of molars. Fluoride, on the other hand, is a naturally-occurring mineral that is absorbed by the teeth. It serves to strengthen the enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.
Benefits of Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is highly beneficial for children and adults alike. Not only does it strengthen teeth through a process called remineralization, but it also protects the enamel from plaque and sugar, helping to prevent cavities. In addition, fluoride makes enamel more resistant to acid, which can help to protect your smile from acid erosion.
Fluoride is especially valuable for our younger patients, from the age of six months to the early teens. Fluoride can defend primary or baby teeth against cavities, and it can strengthen developing permanent teeth. However, we also provide fluoride treatments to adults who are at a greater risk of developing cavities or dental erosion because of medical conditions such as gum disease, dry mouth, or acid reflux. Dr. Turner also recommends fluoride treatments for patients with braces to ensure cavities do not develop beneath the brackets and wires.
Why Should Treatment Be Provided by Your Dentist?
There are a number of over-the-counter products that contain fluoride, but your primary fluoride treatments should always be performed by your dentist. Fluoride is beneficial to the health of your teeth, but it can also be toxic in excessive doses, with children most at risk. In addition to potential poisoning, ingesting too much fluoride can cause intrinsic stains to develop on adult teeth during a process called fluorosis.
At our practice, we can ensure each member of your family receives the right amount of fluoride for maximum dental protection, without posing any potential risks to their health or appearance.
As a result, it is important that an experienced dentist oversee fluoride use and application. At our practice, we can ensure each member of your family receives the right amount of fluoride for maximum dental protection, without posing any potential risks to their health or appearance.
Preserve Your Family's Smile
If you or your child is due for a routine preventive care visit, call us today at (816) 229-1433 or contact us online to schedule your next appointment. At Matthew Turner, D.D.S., P.C., we take every measure to make sure your family's smiles stay healthy and strong with fluoride treatments, dental exams, cleanings, and sealants.
