828 NE A St, Grants Pass, OR 97526
What Is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatment can easily be added to any routine preventive visit to help keep decay at bay. Once your teeth have been cleaned, our dentist applies a fluoride-rich varnish or gel and lets it sit in place for a few minutes before rinsing it away. Fluoride works by attracting healthy minerals like calcium and phosphate, which bond to your teeth and help re-strengthen the enamel, particularly in areas where early decay may already be starting.
At A Street Dental in Grants Pass, fluoride treatment is a fast, low-effort way to add extra protection to your regular cleaning appointment, with no separate visit required. We provide fluoride treatment for patients throughout Southern Oregon, including Josephine County, Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, Selma, and communities along the coast.
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Benefits of Fluoride Treatment
A quick fluoride treatment offers a few real advantages as part of your regular preventive care:
- Strengthens Enamel: Fluoride helps re-mineralize weakened areas of enamel before they progress into cavities.
- Reduces Sensitivity: Strengthened enamel can also mean less sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
- Quick and Painless: Application takes just a few minutes and requires no drilling or anesthesia.
- Easy to Add to a Routine Visit: Since it's applied right after a cleaning, there's no need for a separate appointment.
Who Can Benefit from Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is helpful for a wide range of patients, not just children. Developing teeth benefit from extra fluoride as they form and erupt, which is why it's commonly recommended for kids and teens. Anyone who tends to develop cavities more easily, has reduced saliva flow from medication or another cause, or deals with sensitive teeth can also benefit from the added protection, since fluoride helps strengthen enamel and exposed areas near the gumline. Patients wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances often benefit too, since those make it harder to clean every surface of the teeth.
Fluoride Treatment Aftercare
A little care right after your treatment helps the fluoride do its job. Here's what to keep in mind:
- Avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes after your treatment, giving the fluoride time to fully absorb into your enamel.
- Skip hot foods or drinks for a few hours afterward, since heat can affect how well the fluoride sets.
- Hold off on brushing or using mouthwash for a few hours, so you don't rinse away the fluoride before it's had a chance to work.
- Stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods for your first meal back, especially if a varnish was used, since it can feel slightly sticky at first.
Add Extra Protection to Your Smile
Whether you're prone to cavities, dealing with sensitivity, or just want extra peace of mind, fluoride treatment is a simple addition to your next visit. Reach out to our A Street Dental team today, and we'll find a time that works for you.
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