Your teeth face constant attacks from acids and bacteria that break down protective enamel throughout the day. Fluoride treatments provide an extra layer of defense that helps reverse early damage and strengthen your teeth against future decay. This quick, painless procedure takes just minutes during your regular dental visit but delivers lasting protection that keeps your smile healthy between appointments.
At Naylor Family Dental and Implant Center, Dr. Naylor and his team incorporate fluoride treatments into comprehensive preventive dentistry plans tailored to each patient’s needs. Whether you’re managing a higher risk for cavities or simply want to maintain strong teeth, professional fluoride application offers benefits that over-the-counter toothpaste alone cannot provide. The practice creates a welcoming environment where patients of all ages feel comfortable receiving the preventive care they need.
Fluoride works by supporting a natural process called remineralization. Throughout the day, acids from food, drinks, and bacteria strip minerals from your tooth enamel in a process called demineralization. Fluoride helps restore these lost minerals, particularly calcium and phosphate, making your enamel more resistant to future acid attacks.
The mineral also makes teeth more resistant to the acid produced by cavity-causing bacteria. When fluoride is present during the remineralization process, it creates a harder, more acid-resistant tooth surface than would form naturally. This protective effect continues even after your fluoride treatment ends, as the mineral remains in your saliva and on your tooth surfaces.
Children benefit significantly from fluoride during their tooth development years. The mineral incorporates into developing permanent teeth, creating stronger enamel before those teeth even emerge. Adults gain protection too, especially in areas where enamel has thinned or where gum recession exposes tooth roots that lack enamel’s natural protection.
Professional fluoride treatment takes only a few minutes and causes no discomfort. The dental hygienist applies a concentrated fluoride solution directly to your clean teeth using a brush, tray, or foam applicator. The treatment comes in various forms including gel, foam, or varnish, with varnish being the most common choice for its effectiveness and ease of application.
After application, you’ll wait a short period to allow maximum fluoride absorption. The dentist may ask you to avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing for 30 minutes after treatment to give the fluoride time to fully bond with your enamel. This waiting period ensures you receive the maximum benefit from the procedure.
Most patients receive fluoride treatments during regular dental hygiene appointments every six months. Your dentist may recommend more frequent applications if you have a history of frequent cavities, wear braces, have gum disease, or experience dry mouth that reduces your natural saliva protection.
While fluoride treatments benefit people of all ages, certain groups gain particular advantages from professional applications:
The treatment addresses specific risk factors that make some patients more susceptible to decay than others.
You encounter fluoride through multiple sources, each offering different levels of protection. Fluoridated drinking water, which many communities add to their public water supply, provides low-level fluoride exposure throughout the day. This consistent exposure helps maintain baseline protection, though Las Vegas water contains naturally occurring fluoride at levels below the optimal concentration for maximum dental benefit.
Over-the-counter toothpastes and mouth rinses contain fluoride concentrations suitable for daily home use. These products maintain the protection established by professional treatments. However, their lower fluoride concentrations cannot match the strengthening power of in-office applications.
Professional fluoride treatments use significantly higher concentrations than home-care products, delivering a concentrated dose that creates lasting protection. According to the American Dental Association, fluoride protects teeth by restoring enamel damaged by plaque through remineralization. The concentrated application penetrates deeper into the enamel, providing benefits that persist for several months between treatments.
Some prescription-strength fluoride products exist for home use, but dentists reserve these for patients with severe cavity risk. Your dentist can determine whether prescription fluoride supplements or higher-strength toothpaste would benefit your specific situation.
Professional fluoride treatments are safe when administered correctly by dental professionals. The treatment uses controlled amounts applied directly to teeth rather than swallowed, minimizing any risk while maximizing benefits. Dental professionals follow established protocols that ensure appropriate fluoride levels for each patient’s age and needs.
Children should receive fluoride treatments starting when their first teeth appear and continuing through the teenage years as permanent teeth emerge and mature. Adults benefit from continued treatments, particularly if they have any risk factors for tooth decay.
The frequency of fluoride treatments depends on your individual cavity risk. Most patients receive treatments during routine cleaning appointments twice yearly. However, your dentist might recommend quarterly treatments if you have active tooth decay, multiple existing fillings, or conditions that increase your cavity risk.
Preventive care forms the foundation of lasting dental health. At Naylor Family Dental and Implant Center, Dr. Naylor completed his dental education at Indiana University in 2017 and brings thoughtful, personalized care to every patient. The practice treats each person with the same attention and care they would provide their own family, creating a calming atmosphere that puts patients at ease.
Professional fluoride treatments complement your daily oral hygiene routine, giving your teeth extra protection against the constant challenges they face. The practice makes preventive care accessible through multiple payment options, including acceptance of major dental insurance plans like Delta Dental PPO, Cigna Dental, and Aetna Dental. For patients without traditional coverage, financing through CareCredit, Proceed Finance, and Cherry helps make treatment affordable. The practice also offers an in-house dental membership plan that includes preventive services. Contact Naylor Family Dental and Implant Center to schedule your next preventive care appointment and keep your smile strong and healthy.
Invisalign aligners are made from a thermoplastic material that's BPA-free.
Source: invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions
Creating your custom Invisalign trays has never been easier thanks to digital scanning. Say goodbye to goopy impression trays and hello to your best smile yet!
You deserve to feel confident about your Invisalign journey. That’s why we’ve invested in Digital Smile Design. This revolutionary tool allows you to see your Invisalign results before even starting treatment!
Our team can add small tooth-colored bumps to the surface of your teeth, which allows us to correct more complex misalignments than ever before.
Enjoy the flexibility to remove your aligners whenever you need to brush, floss, or indulge in your favorite foods.
Experience unparalleled comfort with Invisalign's smooth and gentle BPA-free plastic material, ensuring a comfortable fit.
Invisalign allows you to maintain your regular routine, including your diet, without any significant adjustments needed.
Prior to starting your treatment, you will have an opportunity to discuss your desired smile outcomes with Dr. Naylor. He will carefully examine your bite and smile to determine if Invisalign is the appropriate solution for you. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have regarding your smile, Invisalign, or other available treatment options.
Once you have been given the green light to proceed with Invisalign, Dr. Naylor will take scans or impressions of your teeth to ensure your aligners fit perfectly. Once your aligners are ready, you will visit our office to pick them up and begin your treatment. In some cases, Dr. Naylor may need to attach small fixtures to your teeth to aid in keeping the aligners securely in place.
While every treatment timeline is unique, you’ll most likely stop by our office every six weeks to pick up your next set of aligners. These check-ups are crucial as they ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned and that your Invisalign trays are fitting correctly.
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
The process begins with taking scans of your teeth to create a digital model of your mouth. This model is then sent to a local lab, where the aligners are crafted using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology. These tools enable the creation of highly precise aligners tailored specifically to your needs. Once the aligners are completed, they are sent to Dr. Naylor to be fitted and delivered to you.
Invisalign aligners are made of clear, thin plastic, making them virtually invisible when worn. Each tray is custom-made to fit your gum line seamlessly. However, if you eat or drink with your aligners in, they may become stained, potentially making them more noticeable.
Invisalign attachments, also known as buttons, are small tooth-colored composite resin dots placed on your teeth. When you insert your Invisalign aligners, they snap over these buttons, providing an anchor to keep the aligners securely in place. This allows Dr. Naylor to adjust the position of your teeth more precisely and effectively throughout your Invisalign treatment.
If you lose your aligners or notice any cracks, damage, or wear and tear, please contact us immediately. Delaying assistance could prolong your treatment and reverse the progress you have made. We will ensure you receive a fresh set of trays as soon as possible, allowing you to continue with your treatment plan.
Invisalign is generally more comfortable than traditional braces, but you may experience some tenderness and soreness as your teeth start to shift. The gentle pressure exerted by the aligners prompts your tooth roots to move, leading to minor inflammation and discomfort. If you experience pain, we suggest taking Tylenol rather than ibuprofen, as ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory properties can affect tooth movement.
If you don’t have severe oral health or orthodontic issues, Invisalign could be the right solution for your smile. However, if your dentist identifies extensive orthodontic problems, they may recommend metal or ceramic braces instead. To determine the best treatment option for your needs, reach out to our team and schedule a consultation today.
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