When and What to Eat After Fluoride Treatment

Did you know that your teeth withstand a lot in a day? Bacteria will pounce on food debris, and in the process, corrosive acids are released that damage the teeth. Then, there are acidic foods that are also corrosive to the enamel, which we unwittingly indulge in daily. But even with the onslaught of corrosion, teeth have the strength to withstand almost anything you throw at them.

But, you need to show them love every day by cleaning them. They need extra care every three or four months when you visit our dentist in Fanwood, NJ, for regular cleanings. Our dentist can boost oral health during these sessions by providing fluoride treatment.

Fluoride treatment is essential since it helps boost your oral health. But you must wonder what happens after you receive fluoride treatment. What can I eat? When can I eat? These are some of the questions most patients ask. But before we answer them, let’s see why you need fluoride treatment.

Why Do You Need Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatment is nothing new. You take fluoride every other day without knowing in certain foods or tap water. It’s a naturally occurring mineral.

Your teeth lose minerals each day via a process known as demineralization. This means that your enamel becomes weaker. However, when you brush using fluoridated toothpaste, you help add some of the lost minerals back to the teeth.

But if you keep losing fluoride, calcium, and phosphate, you are susceptible to tooth decay. That’s where fluoride treatment near you comes in handy. It aids in the reabsorption of the essential minerals your teeth lose each day.

Who Needs Fluoride Treatment?

Our dentist offers this service for everyone’s oral health. Some people may need it more than others because they risk developing cavities. Fluoride treatment is necessary if you have:

• Periodontal disease. Gum disease may expose the roots since it causes gum recession and so increasing the chance of tooth decay
• Early signs of tooth decay
• Sensitive teeth since fluoride aids in strengthening the teeth
• Dry mouth conditions can be caused by several issues that affect saliva production, increasing the chances of tooth decay

When Is the Right Time to Eat or Drink After Fluoride Treatment?

Mostly, fluoride treatments are performed right after a dental cleaning. Therefore, there is a chance that your teeth might be a bit more sensitive than normal.

Fluoride treatments usually contain a higher fluoride concentration than fluoridated toothpaste, tap water, and food. That’s why our dentist in Fanwood, NJ, will give you specific post-treatment guidelines you need to follow.

Since the fluoride treatments have a higher concentration and your teeth are a bit more sensitive, you might have to wait for about six hours before you take any hot drink or alcohol or use a mouthwash. However, you can take cold drinks shortly after your treatment.

You should also wait about six hours before taking any hot food. Moreover, you might need to be a bit careful with the foods you indulge in after fluoride treatment.

What Can You Eat After Fluoride Treatment?

You will get a list of foods you must avoid after your fluoride treatment. Remember that you need to avoid extreme temperatures because of increased tooth sensitivity. Taking these precautions will enhance your experience.

Some of the foods that you need to steer clear from are:

• Citrus fruits (limes, grapefruits, lemons, and oranges) because these fruits contain high acidity levels
• Sugary drinks
• Hot or cold foods since their effects will be exaggerated since your gums and teeth are sensitive
• Hard or crunchy foods or any food that requires a lot of chewing

You can try out the following foods while your teeth recuperate:

• Liquid foods or soups
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, etc.

Other Recommendations

If you want to get better results, you may need to do the following after your treatment:

• Don’t floss, brush or rinse your teeth for no less than six hours after your treatment. If you do so, you will be wiping off the fluoride from your teeth before your teeth entirely absorb it
• Don’t drink anything containing alcohol
• Don’t use additional fluoride treatments for at least three days or until our dentist tells you otherwise. If you use fluoride treatment, you will increase your chances of developing fluorosis.

Fluoride treatment is good for your oral health. Contact us at Fanwood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry if you need fluoride treatment for adults.