Your tooth enamel is made up of microscopic mineral structures that are so densely packed that they give your teeth the toughness needed to bite and chew food. Healthy tooth enamel is also strong enough to keep the bacteria in your mouth from forming cavities.
Unfortunately, the pervasive nature of the bacteria in your mouth, along with the acidic foods and beverages you consume each day, can actually degrade some of these mineral structures on a microscopic level. If it is not effectively counteracted on a daily basis, this demineralization process will weaken the enamel layer of your teeth, making your them more susceptible to tooth decay and sensitivity. Fortunately, exposing your teeth to fluoride helps restore the microscopic minerals, which is a process is known as remineralization. This effectively helps prevent sensitivity and tooth decay.
If you’ve had issues with sensitivity and cavities from insufficient fluoride, your dentist, Dr. Michael Nguyen, might recommend having a routine fluoride treatment. In most cases, the fluoride treatment will be administered after your regular dental checkup.
During the treatment, concentrated fluoride gel is poured into trays that are inserted in your mouth and held there for a few minutes. You should avoid eating or drinking for at least a half an hour to allow the fluoride to deeply penetrate the enamel of your teeth.
Dr. Michael Nguyen might also recommend brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste to increase your daily fluoride exposure. You might want to also consider making some minor changes in your diet to reduce acid exposure in your mouth.
If you have questions about dental fluoride treatment in Sherman, Texas, you can call North Texas Dental at 903-893-2800 to schedule an appointment.