Fluoride

Why Is Fluoride Important for Children’s Teeth?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and it’s particularly important for growing teeth as it is integrated into the tooth enamel, helping to harden your child’s teeth. Once teeth are formed, fluoride will still help to harden teeth and it interacts with saliva, protecting teeth against bacteria and sugars. Fluoride is very beneficial for children’s teeth, helping to reduce the risk of tooth decay. If we think your child will benefit from additional fluoride, our dentists at St Vincent’s Dental Centre will suggest they have a fluoride treatment. We can also talk to you about fluoridated dental products including toothpaste and mouthwash as it’s important to ensure your child receives just the right amount of fluoride to offer maximum protection.

How Is Fluoride Applied to Children’s Teeth?

Fluoride can be applied in a number of different ways. We can use mouth trays that are filled with fluoride gel or foam and your child will simply need to wear these for a few minutes while at our dental practice. Another option is to use fluoride varnish which is painted onto the teeth and left to penetrate for several hours or even overnight before being brushed off. If required, we can also prescribe fluoride supplements.

We value your child’s dental health and fluoride is important. If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s treatment then we are here to talk to you as we want you to feel completely comfortable that your child is receiving the very highest quality dental care.

Why Is Fluoride Important?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in some water supplies and in certain foods. Every day your teeth undergo acid erosion, a process that removes certain minerals from the enamel layer. This process is called demineralisation and occurs when the mouth becomes more acidic after mealtimes. As the pH levels begin to normalise, your teeth undergo a second process called remineralisation where some of the minerals removed from the enamel layer are redeposited. Without remineralisation your risk of tooth decay is greatly increased. Fluoride helps increase resistance to acid attacks by hardening your tooth enamel and speeding up remineralisation.

How Is Fluoride Applied to Adult Teeth?

Here at SV Dental Centre, we can apply fluoride to your teeth in a number of different ways. The most convenient and comfortable method is using mouth trays filled with fluoride foam or gel.

We can also talk to you about the best way to ensure your teeth are protected at home. If necessary we can prescribe a stronger concentration of fluoride mouth rinse than can be purchased over-the-counter. One of the most straightforward ways is to make sure you use good quality fluoride toothpaste and that you spit out the excess but don’t rinse once you have finished brushing. This helps to leave a thin layer of fluoride ions over the surface of your teeth, giving some additional protection.

The team here at SV Dental Centre can also chat to you if you have any concerns about fluoride and we are here to answer any questions or queries you might have.

Call us on (03) 9419 7022 for appointments. We are located at 3/55 Victoria St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.