General Dentistry: The Benefits And Side Effects Of Fluoride Treatments

Caries and plagues always find a way to build up in the teeth. But some steps can be taken to reduce and prevent them from developing. However, some of these dental treatments could have side effects on our oral health. In this article, we’ll be looking at the benefits of fluoride and the side effects as well. Also, you’ll find out how you can prevent these side effects from damaging our dental health.

Fluoride medications are dental procedures that are typically used in general dentistry to protect and strengthen the outer surface of the teeth (the enamel). This treatment is also called water fluoridation.

Fluoride is naturally found in water, soil, plants, rocks, and air. It also helps in preventing cavities and plagues that can damage the teeth. You can also get over-the-counter products like toothpaste, supplements, and mouthwash that contains fluoride. However, you should get a prescription from your dentist. The in-office treatments are of higher specialty and very effective.

The kind of fluoride medications that are given by professional dentists is more beneficial than the medications that you might get over-the-counter. The medications might come in form of a gel, solutions, foam, or wax. It takes just a few minutes to apply the fluoride to the teeth. To allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride fully, you should avoid food and drinks for 30 minutes. Most importantly, you should be honest with your dentist about your medical history to help him make the best recommendations for you. You can see a dentist in Fanwood, NJ for your fluoride applications.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Fluoride On The Teeth?

There are various benefits of fluoride. Fluoride is beneficial to dental health. As long as you get good fluoride from a qualified dentist, the results are very enjoyable and favorable. It benefits both children and adults.

• Fluoride can help prevent decay from forming in the teeth. Though fluoride can’t eliminate decay from a tooth that is already affected, it would prevent the decay from perforating deep into all areas of the teeth.
• Fluoride prevents the need for future dental treatments. Since it prevents cavities from developing in the teeth, you won’t have to spend money on dental issues that might arise later.
• You are at lower risk of suffering from gum diseases when you make use of fluoride on your teeth. Fluoride can also help reduce toothaches.
• Toothaches are caused by caries that build up in the teeth over time. Fluoride can also help reduce toothaches by preventing cavities from getting to all parts of the teeth.
• Fluoride can rebuild a weakened enamel that has been brought down by plagues in the teeth.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Applying Fluoride To The Teeth?

As beneficial as fluoride is, there are some side effects associated with it. These side effects could occur as a result of different reasons. The side effects that one could experience after making use of fluoride on the teeth are:

Dental Fluorosis

This occurs when a patient takes too much fluoride while they are still undergoing tooth growth. In this case, they would begin to notice the appearance of white spots on the teeth’ surface. This often happens to children below the age of 8 who haven’t completed their tooth growth. Children could take in too much toothpaste that contains active fluoride by mistake while brushing their teeth. Parents should monitor their children when they are brushing their teeth to lower the possibility of their children suffering from this kind of side effect.

Skeletal fluorosis

This happens when a person drinks water that contains excess fluoride. Unlike dental fluorosis, the bones are affected instead of the teeth. When a person continues to consume water that has too much fluoride in it, they can suffer from damaged bone structure.

Also, taking in excess fluoride can result in vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, irritations, and even death.

To prevent these side effects from happening, one has to be careful of the amount of fluoride that one consumes. Taking the right amount of any prescribed drug would reduce the risk of side effects. However, if you notice changes after receiving fluoride medications, you should visit the dentist for a dental examination.