Fluoride Treatment in Houston, TX

Fluoride is an important part of a preventive care treatment plan. Found naturally in some foods, soil, and water, fluoride has been shown to strengthen teeth and bones and help protect against the development of tooth decay. A number of medical groups, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Medical Association (AMA), have reported on the positive effects that fluoride gel treatments offer to the health of the teeth. Communities that add fluoride to their public drinking water also notice a reduction in the amount of tooth decay among their residents.

At Made Ya Smile Dental, our dentists may recommend in-office fluoride treatments at dental cleaning visits or at-home supplemental use of fluoride to give your family’s smiles the best protection available against tooth decay. Fluoride can be beneficial for children, teens, and adults prone to developing tooth decay. For more information on how fluoride may benefit your smile, contact our Houston, TX family dental practice today.

Patients of all ages may benefit from the use of fluoride for cavity prevention. However, it is often recommended for younger patients whose teeth are developing or those who are at a higher risk for tooth decay. Adult patients who have exposed root surfaces due to gum recession and those with a history of decay are also ideal candidates for fluoride treatments. Fluoride may also be recommended for anyone who does not have access to fluoridated drinking water. Early carious lesions, or incipient decay, may be remineralized through the use of professional and at-home fluoride treatments, reducing the need for fillings or other dental treatments. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we offer easy and comfortable in-office fluoride treatments in varnish, gel, and foam forms and a variety of flavors. Our doctors may also prescribe prescription-strength fluoridated toothpaste or supplements for those whose oral health would benefit from additional fluoride.

Depending on your family’s needs, in-office fluoride treatments may be given once or twice each year at bi-annual dental cleaning and checkup visits. Once your cleaning is complete, we will apply your fluoride treatment to your teeth via a paint-on varnish or a gel or foam delivered in mouth trays. Fluoride varnish is painted over the enamel surfaces and carried into the pits and grooves and in between teeth through your saliva. Gel and foam fluoride treatments are applied via mouth trays that keep the fluoride in contact with your teeth for about 1 – 4 minutes. We then suction the fluoride out of the mouth and provide post-op instructions.

For optimal outcomes, you should avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes after your fluoride treatment is applied. If fluoride varnish is used, it is also suggested that you avoid eating crunchy, hard, or sticky foods for several hours following your visit. This allows the fluoride to stay in contact with the teeth and be absorbed by your tooth enamel. Swallowing fluoride can cause an upset stomach and can actually be harmful to children. We recommend that you closely supervise the use of any over-the-counter or prescription fluoridated toothpaste or supplements at home. Fluoride treatments can be a great addition to a preventive care routine. However, regular brushing and flossing habits at home and routine cleaning visits with our team at Made Ya Smile Dental are also necessary for keeping your grin healthy and happy.

Professional fluoride treatments are a preventive care procedure and are often covered at least once a year for children by most dental insurance plans. To learn about coverage for teens and adults or to determine your out-of-pocket fluoride varnish cost, our team will contact your provider and review your coverage amounts. Our business team is happy to help you maximize your insurance benefits and will file claims on your behalf. If you do not have insurance or your plan does not cover fluoride treatments, we accept a range of flexible payment options, including payment through third-party financing arrangements.

How will fluoride protect teeth?
At Made Ya Smile, we use a fluoride gel application to strengthen your enamel. The gel contains a mineral that can strengthen the tooth and help prevent cavities and tooth decay.

When should a child start using fluoride toothpaste?
We recommend that children do not start using fluoride toothpaste until they reach three years old. If you have questions or concerns about how much fluoride toothpaste to use, our team is happy to help!

Can you have too much fluoride?
While it is possible to have too much fluoride, it's unlikely. This would often only be the case if your drinking water contained much higher levels of fluoride than normal. Too much fluoride could cause discoloration in the teeth; however, our team always looks out for signs of too much fluoride before performing fluoride treatments and only provides this service when necessary.

Our team at Made Ya Smile Dental does everything we can to enable patients of all ages to enjoy lasting oral health. Professional fluoride treatment can help prevent cavities and remineralize tooth structure in children and teens with developing teeth and adults who are prone to tooth decay. For more information on the types of fluoride treatments we offer for cavity prevention, contact our Houston, TX family dental practice and speak with our friendly team today.