Fluoride Treatment in Houston, TX

To help protect your family's smiles against tooth decay, our team at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 offers fluoride treatments as part of a preventive dental care plan. Fluoride is an element naturally found in some foods, soil, and water that is known to strengthen teeth and bones. But many municipalities also add it to their drinking water supply to help protect citizens against the development of tooth decay and, as a result, have decreased the incidence of tooth decay among residents in comparison to those who have water without fluoride. Several medical organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Medical Association (AMA) have all reported on the positive effects of fluoride in helping to prevent dental cavities.

In-office fluoride treatments may be given to children, teens, and adults immediately following a professional dental cleaning to strengthen teeth, prevent tooth decay, and remineralize tooth enamel. Our general dentist may also recommend the use of fluoride supplements or prescription fluoridated toothpaste to use at home for patients who are more cavity-prone. For more on how fluoride treatments can benefit your family's smiles, schedule your dental visit at our Houston, TX family practice today.

Fluoride treatments can help to protect the teeth against tooth decay among patients of all ages, though younger children should be supervised since ingesting fluoride can be harmful to general health. Many over-the-counter toothpastes and rinses have fluoride and while they do provide some benefit, it may not offer enough protection for some patients. Patients who do not drink fluoridated city water may be ideal candidates for in-office fluoride varnish treatments for cavity prevention. We may also recommend fluoride treatments for children and teens who tend to be at a higher risk for tooth decay, and adults who have exposed root surfaces or a history of cavities. The use of fluoride may also help to remineralize areas of early (incipient) decay that is still in the enamel layer and reduce the need for restorative procedures, such as dental crowns or fillings. Receiving fluoride treatments, such as fluoride paste, from our Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 team is quick and easy as fluoride is available in a range of flavors and in a gel, varnish, or foam application. For higher-risk patients, we may prescribe fluoride supplements or prescription fluoridated toothpaste to further strengthen the teeth and minimize the threat of dental cavities.

Fluoride treatments can help your family maintain good oral health. In most cases, your family's in-office fluoride treatments will be given when you are here for your routine dental cleaning and exam visits. Once your teeth have been cleaned and polished, our team will then apply your fluoride treatment. Depending on the unique needs of each patient, we may recommend fluoride treatments on a yearly or twice-yearly basis. It may be applied in a gel, foam, or in fluoride varnish form. While gel and foam fluoride treatments are placed in special trays and held in the mouth for 1 – 4 minutes, the varnish is painted onto the tooth surfaces and carried throughout into the grooves and in between teeth by your saliva. We will then use our suction tool to remove the excess fluoride from your mouth and give you instructions on how long you should wait before eating, drinking, or brushing.

Following your fluoride treatment at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8, our team recommends that you wait for at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking to give the fluoride a chance to be absorbed by your oral structures. We also suggest that those who receive fluoride varnish avoid eating crunchy, hard, or sticky foods for several hours after the application. Please closely supervise children with they use any over-the-counter toothpaste, rinses, or prescription products that contain fluoride. Ingestion in large amounts can be toxic, but even swallowing a small bit could cause nausea and vomiting. Fluoride can help to strengthen your family's teeth and reduce the risk of decay when it accompanies daily oral hygiene and regular visits to our practice for dental care.

Many dental insurance plans will cover in-office fluoride treatments for kids on a yearly or twice-yearly preventive basis. To learn about coverage for all members of your family, our team will get in contact with your provider and review your plan's benefits. Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 accepts a range of convenient payment options and is a participating provider for most major PPOs. If you do not carry insurance or have personal costs for your care, be sure to ask us about our in-house dental savings plan.

How is fluoride varnish beneficial to teeth?
A fluoride varnish application will help to strengthen tooth enamel. This is because the fluoride varnish has mineral fluoride in it, which helps strengthen the teeth. When the tooth covering is strengthened, it can help guard against cavities.

How much of a difference does fluoride make when protecting against tooth decay?
Fluoride paste has been scientifically proven to diminish tooth decay. Fluoride pastes work as a protective barrier when used on tooth enamel. This additional layer on your teeth can bolster your defenses against cavities.

Can you have too much or too little fluoride?
We recommend that fluoride varnish is applied only when necessary. Small children are recommended to only use fluoride in very minuscule quantities as it can upset their stomachs and discolor enamel. Typically, on the average person, it can be applied up to four times a year or every three months. If you currently have water without fluoride, this is not a problem. Made Ya Smile West 8 will help provide you with the fluoride needed to protect your teeth and fight tooth decay.

Give your family's beautiful smiles the protection needed for long-term oral health. In-office fluoride treatments can help to strengthen the teeth, prevent cavities, and remineralize at-risk areas in the tooth enamel. Our team may recommend fluoride for children along with teens and adults who may be at a higher risk for tooth decay. For additional information or to schedule your dental visit at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8, reach out to our friendly Houston, TX team right away.