How and Why Fluoride Works

Posted March 30, 2017

In the quest to keep your child’s smile healthy, beautiful, and free of cavities, your dentist offers a number of ways to boost your child’s hygiene efforts. In addition to regular checkups and cleanings, which allow the dentist to clean and inspect your child’s teeth, other measures such as fluoride treatment can add layers of protection against harmful oral bacteria. If your child is at an increased risk for cavity development, then find out if fluoride can work to reduce that risk.

How it Works

The enamel that surrounds and protects teeth is made almost entirely of highly resilient mineral crystals, most notably, calcium. As oral bacteria attack teeth, they weaken this protective enamel until the bacteria can reach and infect a tooth’s main structure. Fluoride helps protect teeth from these attacks by bonding to the mineral crystals in its structure, strengthening their bond against oral bacteria. With the boost provided by fluoride treatment, your children can enjoy a healthier smile and you can worry less about having to save their teeth from cavities.

What It Does

Strengthening tooth enamel isn’t just an emergency tactic; in fact, the whole point of good hygiene is to keep tooth enamel strong by controlling the oral bacteria that constantly threaten it. In some cases, fluoride treatment can be a highly valuable addition to an excellent hygiene routine and increase your child’s chances of enjoying a lifetime of healthy and cavity-free smiles! For even more protection, your dentist might also suggest dental sealants, which are biocompatible layers of acrylic that stop oral bacteria from gathering on the chewing surfaces of teeth.

Does Your Child Need Fluoride Treatment?

Find out if fluoride treatment can help protect your child’s smile by speaking with your dentist. To schedule an appointment, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880.