The Pros and Cons of Fluoride Treatment: Miracle Treatment or Poison?

Dentists give their patients a concentrated fluoride treatment for cavity prevention and to protect oral health. Here’s what you should know about fluoride treatment and how it can help keep your smile strong!

Benefits of fluoride treatment

Fluoride positively affects teeth in several ways:

• Helps prevent cavities
• Reduces the speed at which tooth decay develops
• Reduces your need for expensive dental treatments
• Prolongs the health of baby teeth
• Saves the patient money long-term
• Helps prevent gum disease
• Helps prevent dental pain

Fluoride treatment helps prevent tooth decay, reducing the risk of cavities and related dental infections. When decay is left untreated, it can lead to deeper infections, such as abscesses, that may spread beyond the tooth. In severe cases, oral infections can affect overall health if bacteria enter the bloodstream.

Fluoride also benefits your teeth and overall health by:

1. Supporting remineralization by helping your teeth absorb calcium and phosphate.
2. Strengthening enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth.
3. Fighting cavity-causing bacteria by disrupting their ability to produce acid.

How to get the most out of fluoride

The American Dental Association recommends daily exposure to small amounts of fluoride for the best cavity protection. This includes brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

If you're at higher risk for cavities, our team may recommend adding a fluoride mouth rinse at home and receiving professional fluoride treatments every six months.

While children are often at increased risk for cavities, at-home fluoride rinses are not recommended for young children due to the risk of accidental swallowing.

Instead, many dentists recommend professionally applied fluoride treatments for children every three to six months, with supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Milford who provides fluoride treatments, book an appointment at Milford Family Dental today!