I'm not a child anymore. Why should I still have fluoride?

As teeth are formed during childhood, fluoride from drinking water bonds with the developing enamel strengthening the tooth from the inside out to the enamel. However, once enamel has fully formed, the only way fluoride can strengthen is by topical application. Fluoride is put into toothpaste, rinses, gels and foams to protect and fortify exposed tooth surfaces like sunscreen and moisturizer is applied to protect and nourish exposed skin. As people age, saliva content can change due to medications, overall health, diet, etc., making the teeth more susceptible to cavities. On-going fluoride treatments provide an important extra protection against this potential cavity break down.

Our office and the American Dental Association recommend fluoride treatments at all cleaning visits. We also recommended that you use products with fluoride (toothpaste and mouth rinse) as part of your daily routine. In certain situations a prescription level of fluoride may be necessary for daily use.


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