Fluoride

Fluoride

Protecting & Strengthening Your Smile

At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, we are committed to helping you maintain strong, healthy teeth for a lifetime. Fluoride treatments are a great way to help strengthen weakened enamel and protect the teeth from tooth decay and cavities. It is a natural mineral that is found in our drinking water and some of the foods we eat, but many people may benefit from a quick treatment at your next routine cleaning or dental checkup.

How Fluoride Works

Without you even realizing it, your tooth’s enamel weakens and strengthens a little bit each day through a process called remineralization. When acid enters the mouth via sugars and bacteria, the enamel loses some of the natural minerals that protect the teeth. In comparison, you also gain minerals by drinking water and eating foods that contain minerals such as fluoride to help the teeth resist acid attacks. It may even help reverse early tooth decay and prevent the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.

In addition to the water you drink and the meals you eat, you can also use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to improve your oral health. At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, our treatments contain a stronger concentration and are applied to the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

Types Of Fluoride Treatment

There are a couple of different forms that can be applied to the teeth, including a gel, varnish or foam. If using a gel or varnish, one of our dental hygienists or dental assistants will delicately paint the material onto each tooth, or if it is a foam, the product is put in a tray to cover over the teeth after a thorough teeth cleaning and usually takes less than five minutes!

In addition to the water you drink and the meals you eat, you can also use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to improve your oral health. At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, our treatments contain a stronger concentration and are applied to the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

Who Can Benefit From Fluoride

At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, we believe that everyone could benefit from fluoride treatments during their routine dental cleanings. In fact, studies show that these treatments can reduce your risk of developing cavities by 25%. The American Dental Association says children can begin treatment as little as six months old, but it’s important to watch how much they consume to avoid over consumption. Here are some ways the ADA recommends your child can safely consume it:

  • Use a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste when brushing (pea-sized)
  • Teach your child to spit the toothpaste rather than swallow
  • Children under the age of 6 should not use a fluoride mouthwash
  • Avoid formulas that require you to mix the powder with fluoridated water
Lansdowne dentistry fluoride woman

Fluoride is a great preventative treatment for adults, too, especially including those who have:

Believe it or not, your saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria, but if you have dry mouth and do not produce an adequate amount of salvia, it can increase the risk of developing gum disease and cavities.

It helps fight against the formation of bacteria and plaque on teeth and as a result help prevent decay from spreading to the gumline. It can also reverse early signs of periodontal disease, known as gingivitis.

By strengthening your tooth’s enamel, it acts as a shield and is protective against acid attacks improving your overall oral health.

When you have dental restorations such as fillings, bridges, dentures or crowns, this treatment helps strengthen the teeth around those areas and prevents bacteria from creeping in.

Traditional metal braces can be challenging to keep clean. This treatment acts as an extra layer of protection for those individuals who are going through orthodontic treatment.

Personalized Dental Care That Matters In Lansdowne, VA

Don’t wait until tooth decay becomes an issue! Lansdowne Dentistry by Design is proud to be your partner in oral health and is committed to making sure your smile remains strong and healthy. Our fluoride treatments are tailored to each patient’s specific needs as we take a personalized approach with every visit. Schedule your appointment at Lansdowne Dentistry by Design today by calling our office at (703) 858-2380 or fill out our online form to get started.

Smiling couple perfect teeth dental patient

Honest Dentistry,
Beautiful Smile Results

For over 30 years, Lansdowne Dentistry by Design has delivered expert, personalized dental care to the Northern Virginia community. From routine checkups to advanced treatments, every service is tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs in a warm, welcoming environment. We have a compassionate team and a commitment to stress-free care, and treat every patient like family—empowering them to smile with confidence.