Fluoride plays an important role in protecting teeth and maintaining healthy enamel. While many people receive fluoride through drinking water and everyday dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, some patients may benefit from additional fluoride treatment provided by a dental professional.
At Wise Dental, we can assess your oral health and determine whether professional fluoride application could provide additional protection for your teeth, particularly if you have an increased risk of tooth decay.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the environment, including in water, rocks, soil and certain foods.
It is widely used in dentistry because of its ability to help strengthen tooth enamel and protect teeth against the effects of acids produced by bacteria within the mouth.
Fluoride is commonly obtained through fluoridated drinking water and dental products such as toothpaste. Professional treatments can provide a more concentrated application when additional protection is considered beneficial.
Professional fluoride treatment involves applying fluoride directly to the teeth to help strengthen and protect the enamel.
Depending on your age, dental health and risk of developing tooth decay, your dentist may recommend different forms of fluoride treatment.
A dental professional may recommend fluoride gel or foam for patients considered at greater risk of tooth decay. This form of treatment is generally not used for children under 10 years of age.
Fluoride varnish is painted directly onto the surfaces of the teeth, where it remains temporarily and allows the fluoride to come into contact with the enamel.
Varnish can be used for both adults and children of different ages when clinically appropriate.
In some circumstances, your dentist may recommend using a fluoride-containing mouth rinse at home.
If this is suitable for you, we’ll explain how frequently it should be used and provide instructions based on your individual oral health requirements.
Tooth enamel contains minerals including calcium and phosphate. Throughout the day, bacteria in the mouth interact with sugars from food and drinks and produce acids.
These acids can gradually draw minerals out of the enamel. This process is known as demineralisation, and repeated exposure can weaken the tooth surface and contribute to the development of decay.
Fluoride helps support the remineralisation process. When fluoride combines with calcium and phosphate within the mouth, it can help form a stronger, more acid-resistant mineral structure within the enamel.
This makes the tooth surface better able to withstand future acid exposure and helps strengthen areas where early mineral loss has occurred.
Fluoride toothpaste provides regular, low-level fluoride exposure and is an important part of everyday preventive dental care.
Brushing thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste twice each day helps deliver fluoride directly to the tooth surfaces while also removing plaque and food debris.
For good ongoing oral health, fluoride toothpaste should be combined with regular flossing or interdental cleaning and routine dental examinations and professional cleans.
Professional fluoride application doesn’t replace good oral hygiene at home. Instead, it can provide additional protection when your dentist believes your teeth would benefit from it.
Following the application of fluoride varnish, you may notice a temporary change in the appearance or colour of the teeth. An orange discolouration can sometimes occur, but this is temporary.
Your dentist will provide specific instructions following treatment. Depending on the fluoride product used, you may be advised to:
Always follow the individual aftercare instructions provided by your dentist, as recommendations can vary depending on the fluoride product used.
Fluoride occurs naturally in water, although the concentration varies considerably between different water sources.
Water fluoridation involves carefully adjusting fluoride levels within public drinking water supplies to help protect teeth against decay across the community.
Australia began introducing community water fluoridation during the 1950s. Australian drinking-water guidelines provide recommendations for appropriate fluoride concentrations, with levels taking factors such as climate into consideration.
People who primarily drink rainwater, bottled water or certain types of filtered water may receive different amounts of fluoride compared with those drinking fluoridated tap water.
If you’re unsure whether you or your family are receiving sufficient fluoride, your dentist can provide advice based on your circumstances rather than relying on fluoride supplements without professional guidance.
Professional fluoride treatment isn’t necessarily required by everyone.
Your dentist may consider your history of tooth decay, enamel condition, oral hygiene, diet and other factors when deciding whether additional fluoride would be beneficial.
Regular dental examinations provide an opportunity to identify early changes to the teeth and develop an appropriate preventive care plan.
If you’d like additional advice about fluoride or protecting your teeth from decay, Wise Dental can assess your oral health and recommend an appropriate preventive dental care plan.
Our Sutherland Shire dental team can advise whether professional fluoride application is appropriate and explain which type of fluoride treatment may be suitable for you or your child.
If your household primarily uses rainwater, bottled water or filtered water and you’re unsure about fluoride intake, we can also discuss this during your dental appointment.
Book an appointment with Wise Dental in Sutherland Shire for personalised advice about fluoride treatment and preventive dental care.
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