What Are Fluoride Treatments?
Fluoride treatments are essential for protecting and strengthening teeth. While they’re most beneficial for children, any of our patients can request fluoride treatments, regardless of age. The process of applying fluoride is easy and quick, taking only seconds in our office. We can apply these treatments at each of your bi-annual checkup appointments.
Contact our Virginia dentists to schedule an appointment. We have dental offices in four locations for your convenience: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton Kecoughtan, and Hampton Coliseum.
Why Are Fluoride Treatments Needed?
Fluoride treatments may be needed because you’re susceptible to tooth decay, or because you already have a good number of fillings in your mouth. Children with poor oral hygiene and eating habits can benefit from these treatments. Fluoride is essential for patients who don’t get enough through their drinking water or the dental products they use.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Fluoride Treatments?
Most of our patients are good candidates for fluoride treatments because the process is easy to administer and incredibly effective. We can perform an exam to determine if you’ll need fluoride treatments. If you don’t already get enough fluoride through your drinking water or the products you use, we may suggest additional treatments. Children should have fluoride treatments at each of their checkup visits.
What Happens During Fluoride Treatments?
We will bring you into our office and sit you comfortably in one of our rooms. We then apply the liquid fluoride to your teeth. You will be given instructions on how long to avoid eating and drinking, ensuring the fluoride works properly. We can reapply the fluoride as needed at each of your appointments. The beauty about fluoride is that it can be effective in preventing decay and helping strengthen your teeth. It’s easy to apply, and requires no anesthetic or special preparation in order for it to work properly. The treatment is great for both adult and pediatric patients, and can be done regularly or each time you request it.
Supporting Long-Term Oral Health With Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth from acid attacks caused by plaque bacteria and food particles. Regular professional fluoride treatments at our dental office can help prevent dental caries and reverse early decay, especially in children and individuals at higher risk of tooth decay.
Our Virginia-based dental team understands that every patient has different fluoride intake needs depending on their age, diet, local water supplier, and oral hygiene habits. Whether your tap water contains optimally fluoridated water or hardly any fluoride at all, we’ll help you assess the right level of protection to support your dental health.
Fluoride Treatments for All Stages of Life
From a child’s first tooth eruption to maintaining healthy adult teeth, fluoride supports every stage of oral health. We provide fluoride treatments tailored to both primary and permanent teeth, helping reduce demineralization caused by poor oral health or acidic diets. These treatments not only strengthen dental enamel but also offer protection against future oral health issues such as cavities or sensitivity.
How Fluoride Works to Strengthen Teeth
When fluoride is applied directly to the teeth in the form of a fluoride gel, foam, or varnish, it reinforces the outer tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to decay. These topical fluoride applications are especially helpful during tooth development stages in children, but are also effective in reducing cavities in adult teeth.
For patients in areas with low fluoride concentration in drinking water or those using a home water treatment system that removes fluoride, additional fluoride supplements may be recommended. Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses also support caries prevention at home, but in-office treatments offer higher fluoride levels for enhanced protection.
Who Benefits Most from Fluoride?
Fluoride treatments aren’t just for children. Adults who are prone to dry mouth, gum disease, or who have deep grooves on the tooth surface can also benefit. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment or those with a history of frequent dental caries are at greater risk for developing tooth decay and often require more consistent fluoride exposure. Our team will evaluate your risk of tooth decay and determine whether fluoride varnish or gel is appropriate during your visit.
Why Fluoride Still Matters Today
Despite advances in dental technology, fluoride remains a cornerstone of preventive care. It helps prevent tooth decay, protects against acid erosion, and works with your body’s natural ability to remineralize weak spots before they turn into cavities. Whether it’s through professionally applied topical fluoride or systemic supplements, the benefits of fluoride remain unmatched.
If you’re concerned about how much fluoride you’re getting—or whether your home water treatment system filters out essential minerals—we encourage you to speak with our team. We’re here to answer your questions, provide expert fluoride treatments, and support your family’s dental health every step of the way.
