The mineral density of your tooth enamel gives your teeth the strength of bite and chew the basic foods you consume. At the same time, it also helps resist the bacterial infiltration of tooth decay. Yet it is possible for the acidic foods and beverages you consume and poor oral hygiene habits to weaken the mineral strength of your tooth enamel. This is even more likely to occur if you don’t have ready access to fluoride-fortified municipal drinking water.
Over time, this can create surface areas that host tooth decay. It can also create microscopic channels through the enamel, making your teeth sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, and acidic foods and drinks.
Fortunately, exposing your teeth to fluoride can help reverse the process, restoring the mineral strength of your teeth. If you’ve had issues with sensitivity and tooth decay or if you simply aren’t getting adequate fluoride in an average day, Dr. Brian Kraft might recommend adding a fluoride treatment to the end of your dental checkup at Payson Dental and Orthodontics.
To administer the fluoride treatment, your dentist will pour a small amount of concentrated fluoride gel into a tray that is held in your mouth for a few minutes. Afterward, you should avoid eating or drinking for up to an hour to allow the fluoride to deeply penetrate the microscopic areas of your tooth enamel.
If you live in the Payson, Utah, area and you are concerned about the integrity of your tooth enamel, you should call 801-465-7966 to schedule a checkup with a fluoride treatment at Payson Dental and Orthodontics.
