1. What is a fluoride treatment?
  2. What is the fluoride treatment for?
  3. Recommendations after fluoride treatment
  4. Fluoride treatment – contraindications
  5. How much does the fluoride treatment cost?

Fluoride treatment is intended for saturating teeth enamel with fluoride in order to prevent tooth decay. It is considered one of the basic preventive dental services. Dentists recommend this procedure both to children and adults.

1. What is a fluoride treatment?

Fluoride treatment is a simple dental procedure that involves applying fluorine rich products to teeth. The most popular products for this purpose are special dental varnishes, which release fluorine after applying the varnish to the teeth, saturating the enamel with it. During the fluoride treatment, dentists additionally use gels, pastes or foams. These procedures are considered exogenous (topical) prevention methods – the dentist applies anti-caries substances to the surface of the teeth.

Endogenous fluoride treatment involves fluoride supplementation with food, water or medication. Products that are especially rich in fluorine include the following:

  • tea;
  • rice;
  • legumes;
  • mineral water;
  • liver;
  • veal;

As a pharmaceutical product, fluorine most often comes in tablets, lozenges, drops or chewing gum. In order to maximize the benefits, these supplements should be sucked or chewed for as long as possible. This way, the oral cavity has direct contact with fluorine. The supplements should be used only after consulting with the doctor.

2. What is the fluoride treatment for?

Fluorine belongs to the group of elements referred to as microelements. These molecules are vital, but they occur inside our bodies in small amounts.

The main reservoir of fluorine in the human body is enamel. As it undergoes chemical reactions, it strengthens an external surface of the teeth and protects against caries (cariostatic effect).

Fluoride treatment is mainly recommended to children. Rapidly growing deciduous teeth and young permanent teeth are much more susceptible to developing carious lesions. The enamel protected with fluorine acts as a shield against the destructive action of bacteria and helps maintain a healthy smile in children.

Children in general dislike going to the dentist, and many of them suffer from dentophobia. In order to show the child that a visit to the dentist does not have to be a terrible experience, bring them in for a simple dental check-up and fluoride treatment. This procedure is fast and painless.

Fluoride treatment brings back memories of gathering in a school corridor while a hygienist hands out toothbrushes with a special toothpaste. However, adults should take care of their enamel as well. Scientists stress that fluorine is beneficial to our teeth as it:

  • inhibits enamel demineralization;
  • increases remineralization;
  • inhibits the negative effect of bacteria.

Dental caries are a serious problem among adults, and resulting complications may even lead to tooth extraction. Systematic fluoride treatment performed every six months will help protect your smile against unpleasant consequences. The best hygienic and cosmetic effect may be obtained by combining the fluoride treatment with sandblasting and scaling.

Fluoride treatment is also recommended to individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, and it may contribute to relieving the symptoms of dentine hypersensitivity.

3. Recommendations after fluoride treatment

Regardless of the method of fluoride treatment at the dental office, recommendations for after the procedure are similar. The most important is to avoid eating for at least 1.5-2 hours after. Avoid brushing your teeth, smoking cigarettes and chewing gum for 12-24 hours. The longer the product stays on the enamel, the better the results.

Home fluoride treatments are available on the market, but since fluorine compounds should be handled with caution, only the procedure performed by a professional at the dental office guarantees good results and safety.

Self-observation is important following a home fluoride treatment. Fluorine is a highly reactive element, which in the case of overdose may cause acute and chronic intoxications. In such case, the following symptoms may occur:

  • severe headache;
  • increased lacrimation;
  • increased sweating;
  • nausea;
  • vomiting;
  • abdominal pain.

Fluorine tends to accumulate inside the body, so using large doses may lead to symptoms of dental fluorosis. The formation of opaque white patches on the enamel is the most common symptom, as well as increased enamel fragility. In addition, too much fluorine negatively affects the nervous system.

4. Fluoride treatment – contraindications

Fluoride treatment is a very simple procedure, which does not involve deep tissues, so there are more indications than contraindications.

The procedure is not recommended to patients with symptoms of fluoride intoxication or those who are hypersensitive or allergic to any of the products used during the procedure.

 5. How much does the fluoride treatment cost?

The price for the entire procedure depends on the method used and the number of teeth to be treated. At Medicover Dentistry, the most common procedure is the application of topical fluorides to a single tooth, or to all deciduous or permanent teeth. In case of the first option, you should anticipate an expense of PLN 11 – 22 per tooth, while fluoride treatment of deciduous teeth costs from PLN 32 to PLN 77. The price of fluoride treatment for permanent teeth is …..

 

Fluoride treatment is a simple, fast, painless and safe procedure performed regularly by a professional. It is an important part of tooth decay prevention.

 

References:

  • Jańczuk Z., Kaczmarek U., Lipski M..: Stomatologia zachowawcza z endodoncją. Zarys kliniczny, Warszawa, 2014;
  • Bańkowski E.: Biochemia. Podręcznik dla studentów uczelni medycznych. Wydanie drugie, Wrocław, 2009.