Fluoride Treatments in Woodland Hills, CA

Your dental health is our top priority here at Woodland Hills Family Dentistry! We believe that maintaining a healthy smile requires a mix of preventive care and professional treatments. That’s why we offer fluoride treatment as one of our key services to safeguard and fortify your teeth.

What Are Fluoride Treatments?

Fluoride treatments are all about giving your teeth a healthy boost! By applying a fluoride-rich substance, they help strengthen your enamel and keep cavities at bay. Fluoride, a natural mineral found in foods and water, has been a trusted tool for dentists for years to boost dental health.

How Does Fluoride Work?

Fluoride acts like a superhero for your teeth! It swoops in to remineralize tooth enamel, toughening it up against acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in your mouth. Say goodbye to early signs of tooth decay and wave hello to cavity-free days. While kids get a healthy boost from fluoride treatments, grown-ups can also score major smile points with this protective treatment.

Advantages of Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments offer a multitude of benefits for both children and adults, contributing significantly to improved dental health. Here are some of the key perks:

• Prevents Tooth Decay: Fluoride helps to reduce the risk of cavities by making the tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars.
• Remineralizes Enamel: It aids in remineralization, repairing minor tooth decay before it becomes a cavity.
• Strengthens Teeth: Regular fluoride treatments enhance the strength of your teeth, making them more durable and less susceptible to damage.
• Reduces Sensitivity: Fluoride can help decrease tooth sensitivity, allowing for a more comfortable eating and drinking experience.
• Cost-Effective Preventive Measure: Fluoride treatments can save money in the long run by preventing more serious dental issues requiring expensive procedures.

Who Should Consider Fluoride Treatments?

• Children and Adolescents: Children and teens can really benefit from fluoride treatments! Fluoride gives their teeth the minerals they need for strong and healthy development while they’re still growing. Getting these treatments regularly can help stop cavities in their tracks and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
• Adults: Adults can also reap the rewards of fluoride treatments, especially if they’ve had cavities, gum problems, or other dental issues before. Fluoride works wonders in preserving the strength of adult teeth, making it super helpful for folks with sensitive teeth or exposed roots.
• Patients with Braces: If you or your child has braces, fluoride treatments can help protect against cavities! Brackets and wires can make it tricky to clean teeth well, raising the risk of decay. Fluoride treatments offer an extra layer of defense.

The Fluoride Treatment Process at Woodland Hills Family Dentistry

When you come by Woodland Hills Family Dentistry for a fluoride treatment, get ready for a quick and painless procedure! Our expert dental team will gently apply a fluoride gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth. The whole process usually only takes a few minutes, so you can get back to your day right after!

Post-Treatment Care

After your fluoride treatment, we suggest waiting at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking to let the fluoride fully absorb into your enamel. Our highly skilled team will give you tailored aftercare instructions to help you make the most of your treatment.

Is Fluoride Safe?

It is important to note that fluoride can be beneficial to your oral health when used as directed. But like any vitamin or mineral, it is also possible to have too much of a good thing. Excessive fluoride ingestion can result in a condition known as fluorosis, where the teeth become discolored and mottled. The good news is that fluorosis can be avoided with systems in place, such as municipal water filtration, proper fluoride dosing, and talking to a dentist about the right amount of fluoride to use each day.

Young children should always be monitored when using fluoride-containing products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse. While these items can be extremely helpful for their developing smiles, proper dosing is important. If a child ingests large amounts of fluoride toothpaste on an ongoing basis, it could lead to gastrointestinal issues or possible fluorosis.

Is the Fluoride in My Toothpaste Enough?

Like fluoridated tap water, fluoride toothpaste only contains small amounts of this helpful mineral. Applying it to your teeth over time has a cumulative effect of building stronger teeth and reducing the risk of decay. But professional fluoride treatments in Woodland Hills go above and beyond that. Applying a fluoride gel at your dental checkup significantly strengthens teeth to make them more resistant to acidic bacteria between visits. However, it’s still important to use fluoridated oral hygiene products on an everyday basis.

Different Types of Professional Fluoride Applications

Professional fluoride treatments can be performed in several different ways. Some providers offer topical fluoride treatments, where the fluoride is applied directly to the teeth using a foam, gel, or varnish. Another option is a customized delivery system via a tray that fits over the teeth.

Depending on the type of fluoride treatment you receive, you may need to wait up to 30 minutes or more after the appointment before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.

Do I Need Prescription Fluoride?

In addition to these in-office treatments, our Woodland Hills dentist may also prescribe fluoride supplements to use at home each day. These are taken daily and can help to provide additional protection against tooth decay. The most common is a concentrated gel that you brush onto your teeth at bedtime.

Fluoride for Tooth Sensitivity

Fluoride treatments can help with tooth sensitivity by strengthening the enamel and reducing the exposure of the sensitive nerves inside the pores of your teeth. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects it. When it is weak or thinning, it can allow heat, cold, and sweet sensations to reach the nerves more easily, causing discomfort or pain.

If you’re currently whitening your teeth and experiencing bleaching-related tooth sensitivity, fluoride can help relieve your symptoms. Desensitizing treatments typically last about three months at a time.

Schedule Your Fluoride Treatment in Woodland Hills Today

Taking care of your pearly whites and keeping that enamel strong is key for your oral health. At Woodland Hills Family Dentistry, your highly skilled dentist is here to offer you fluoride treatments personalized just for you and your dental health. Reach out today to book your preventive appointment. Let Woodland Hills Family Dentistry in Woodland Hills, CA, assist you in getting and keeping a radiant, healthy smile!

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On This Page

• What Are Fluoride Treatments?
• How Fluoride Works
• Advantages of Fluoride Treatments
• Who Should Consider Fluoride Treatments?
• The Fluoride Treatment Process at Woodland Hills Family Dentistry
• Post-Treatment Care
• Is Fluoride Safe?
• Is the Fluoride in My Toothpaste Enough?
• Different Types of Professional Fluoride Applications
• Do I Need Prescription Fluoride?
• Fluoride for Tooth Sensitivity

Related Topics

• Dental Checkups
• Oral Cancer Screening
• Sealants
• Mouthguards
• Dental X-Ray
• Pediatric Dentist
• Preventative Dentistry

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Fluoride Treatment) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)