Tooth decay is possible at any age as long as you have teeth. While having good oral hygiene habits can help protect teeth, some people may need fluoride treatments to strengthen their tooth enamel and prevent dental caries, which is better known as tooth decay. If you or your child is going to have a fluoride treatment in Torrance, CA, here is what you can expect.
When Are They Given?
Most people get fluoride treatment near me during the two sixth-month examinations and cleanings that they have every year. Your dentist in Torrance, CA, will dry your teeth after cleaning them to keep any liquid on them from diluting the fluoride. Then, he or she will apply fluoride on them.
Fluoride Types
Fluoride is a mineral that is present in the earth’s crust, so it is in all food and water in varying amounts. Commercially it comes in two forms, sodium fluoride, and calcium fluoride. During a fluoride treatment, one of our dentists at Sparkle Family Dentistry in Torrance, CA, will apply one of these types to teeth:
- Fluoride gel
- Fluoride foam
- Fluoride varnish
- Oral fluoride medications
How Long Is the Treatment?
After fluoride is applied, it stays on your teeth for one to four minutes. It doesn’t take long for it to get between teeth, in the cracks and crevices on top of the surface, and the gums. Our dentist will give you flavor options to make the fluoride treatment taste better. Then, when the time is up, your dentist in Torrance will have you spit the excess fluoride out of your mouth.
Care after Treatment
One reason to get rid of the excess fluoride is that it can make people nauseous if they swallow it. Fortunately, nausea should pass within 24 hours of swallowing fluoride. It needs to penetrate the enamel, so you shouldn’t drink, eat, or smoke for 30 minutes after you’ve had a fluoride treatment.
Children can have fluoride treatments from a dentist open on Saturday near me while as young as six months of age, and there isn’t any upper age limit. If you are near Carson, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, or Crenshaw, you can book yourself an appointment with one of our dentists near you open on Saturday for professional dental services. So long as you have teeth, you can receive fluoride treatments from any qualified dentist 90505. Dentists near me say that fluoride doesn’t interact with medications, so they are safe to get twice a year to protect your teeth from developing dental decay and cavities.
