Dr. Kathleen Mullaney • DDS • FAGD

COVID 19 Protocol - Team Mullaney is fully vaccinated

The 5 benefits of Fluoride

The 5 benefits of Fluoride

Tube of FlourideX toothpaste.

We all know how important fluoride treatments are for children. However, did you know that fluoride usage for adults is just as important?

There are 5 clear benefits of fluoride treatments that all ages can benefit from-

1. Protects Your Enamel

One of the most well-known benefits of fluoride treatments is its ability to protect a tooth’s enamel. Drinking liquids that contain high amounts of acid can cause the enamel on your teeth to break down. When the enamel deteriorates, your teeth become much more sensitive to normal activities such as drinking hot, or cold liquids. Drinks containing high amounts of acid include lemonade, tomato juice, grape juice, orange juice, apple juice, and many other fruit juices. Unfortunately, extremely sensitive teeth can cause an unpleasant sensation at any moment. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and receiving fluoride treatments in our office reduces the amount of sensitivity your teeth experience. Fluoride helps protect the teeth and enamel against these acids and the bacteria that cause them. Specifically, fluoride protects the enamel from being broken down, reducing tooth sensitivity

2. Puts Minerals Back In Your Teeth

Acid does more damage to your teeth than simply breaking down the enamel. It also breaks down the structure of your teeth by destroying the minerals that make up your teeth. Minerals, like calcium and phosphorous, are vital to the health of your teeth. When acid breaks down the enamel, it causes your teeth to become weak and damaged. The loss of calcium and phosphorous in your teeth can have dire consequences.

Fluoride reverses the damage by adding those vital minerals back into your teeth. This process, known as remineralization, ultimately helps rebuild damaged teeth. Remineralization is essential to maintaining healthy, strong teeth!

3. Helps Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay

Bacteria is present in everyone’s mouth. When sugars and starches are consumed, they enable the bacteria to produce an acid which breaks down the enamel. This process is extremely harmful to your teeth and when it’s not combatted with fluoride treatments, the acid begins to decay your teeth. Fluoride is always the best treatment when battling tooth decay or cavities.

When receiving fluoride treatments and using fluoride toothpaste at home, you’re much less likely to experience cavities or tooth decay. It’s important to remember that tooth decay and cavities don’t only affect children, but they are common challenges for adults as well.  With this in mind, you should make it a priority to get fluoride treatments routinely as part of prevention. Fluoride can also be found in community water systems. Drinking this water can be beneficial for all members of the family.

4. Saves You Money Down the Road

The best way to save money in the long run is to stay up to date with your fluoride treatment. There are topical and systemic fluorides.

Topical fluorides are applied directly onto your teeth’s enamel. This can be completed with fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, and treatments offered within the dental office. We apply a fluoride treatment onto the teeth during all cleanings.

Systemic fluorides are fluorides that are swallowed. This type of treatment can be completed by drinking fluoride water in communities that have a fluoride water system. Systemic fluorides are also provided in the form of dietary fluoride supplements.

5. Provides A Natural Preventative

A final significant benefit of fluoride is that it serves as a natural preventative for your teeth. Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance found in both the oceans and the groundwater. By using water fluoridation, we’re able to adjust the levels of fluoride in our drinking water to the recommended level for preventing tooth decay and cavities.

It’s a natural and effective way to prevent possible damage to our teeth. The next time you visit the dentist, it’s wise to ask about receiving fluoride treatments as a means of prevention for your teeth.

Why You Need Fluoride Treatments for Your Adult Teeth

For all of the reasons children require fluoride treatments, adults need them as well. Even when our adult teeth are healthy and strong, it’s still important to have routine fluoride treatments. Over time, different liquids and solids that we consume build up an acid that ultimately breaks down our teeth, starting with the enamel.  Once the acid penetrates the enamel, it can start to break down crucial minerals needed in our teeth. Fluoride is the best way to ensure strong, healthy teeth and it’s a great way to rebuild the enamel or minerals that may have already been lost.

Ask us at your next visit about Fluoridex toothpaste which we recommend!

Deal of the Day

* Includes necessary X-rays, Velscope Oral Cancer Screening and periodontal examination
(New Patients Only, excludes cleaning. Not billable to insurance)

Trusted in the Community

Had my first visit to Dr. Mullaney’s office this month since the pandemic and the experience was gold standard. The safety processes and clean office environment were impeccable. Dr. Mullaney and staff were, as usual, amazing. Every step was explained, the protective garments worn by staff were the best I have experienced. It was a safe and positive visit and I recommend making an appointment!!

I am a new patient. After my first dentist appointment with Dr. Mullaney, I left feeling very informed and in control of ultimately making decisions about the care and treatment I receive. The staff is incredibly kind and knowledgeable. I love that they participate in helping veterans through The Freedom Day USA program. They are committed to providing a very clean and friendly atmosphere. In addition this practice goes out of its way to bring comfort and the latest in dentistry to all their patients.

I never thought that a person could enjoy going to the dentist until I started seeing Dr. Mullaney. Her attractive and serene office and Dr. Mullaney and her competent and friendly staff make every visit a pleasure. They have a gift for making each experience smooth and efficient, with meticulous attention to the patient’s needs and comfort. On a scale of 1 to 10 this practice is a 15!

Dr. Mullaney and her staff are absolutely wonderful. They are very professional, personable and greet you by name when you walk in the door. Dr. Mullaney is very talented and really has perfected her craft. Even with a last-minute treatment change, she is unwavering in performing the highest quality treatment available. I am extremely grateful to you all for making my visit pleasant and even fun!