Fluoride and the Fight Against Cavities

Welcome to the 1st In Smiles blog!

We are your go-to source for dental solutions and dentistry-related information in Plano, Texas. Today we want to talk about cavities. Rather than focusing on treatment, we’d like to talk about prevention strategies.

Preventing Cavities in Plano!

You might think that brushing and flossing your teeth every day is all that it takes to prevent cavities. That certainly helps. But, unfortunately, most people don’t see or feel anything in the early stages of tooth decay, so they don’t even realize that their teeth are under siege.

That’s why you need to keep your regular checkups at our office, where we’ll be able to clean your teeth and closely examine your mouth for signs of emerging tooth decay.

And we’ll be able to add an extra layer of protection with fluoride treatments. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Here’s the deal: as bacteria gathers on your teeth, it forms a clingy film known as plaque. And the dangerous bacteria in plaque feeds on sugar from your food and changes it into acid that corrodes your tooth enamel and causes decay.

In case you didn’t know, this is how cavities form, and if they are not treated, you could in big trouble before you know it.

Once that bacteria slips below your gum-line, you could also be confronted with gingivitis and periodontal disease, two forms of gum disease that have unpleasant consequences for your mouth and possibly your entire body (including cancer!).

So, What Can Be Done?

Besides cleanings, we have found that adding some fluoride to your life is effective at stopping this process in its tracks. Fluoride actually forms its own protective film on your teeth. This film thwarts the bacteria’s ability to stick together, which makes it nearly impossible for plaque to gain a foothold on your teeth.

More than that, fluoride can actually inhibit the conversion of sugar into acid, buying you some more time to fight off the bacteria. And it aids in a process known as remineralization, wherein your body uses calcium to replace the minerals lost from the early stages of tooth decay.

But where can you find fluoride?

Well, in many places it is available in diluted quantities in the free public tap water. But it is also available at the dentist, which is why we are calling it to your attention!

Fluoride Treatments in Plano, TX

If you have a high risk of developing cavities, your Plano, TX dentist may recommend special toothpastes, mouth rinses, brushes along with more frequent cleaning appointments.

We can also set you up with one of our intensive fluoride treatments that can help strengthen and/or rebuild damaged parts of your teeth. These include…

In-office foam fluoride treatments: Like we said, fluoride is a natural mineral that has been proven to strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay. As such, our foam fluoride treatments are a powerful way to help prevent cavities, and they only take a few minutes.

Prescription-strength fluoride take-home care: If we see that you’re prone to tooth decay, we can prescribe an extra-strength fluoride treatment for you to use at home. This can go a long way towards keeping cavities at bay!

In-office fluoride varnish: This is another quick, effective, concentrated fluoride treatment that we apply directly onto your teeth while you are here!

Add Some Protection to Your Smile!

To get a head start on tooth decay prevention, call our Plano office at 972-380-8105! We’ll make it happen for you!