Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride therapy is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. At Clifton Dental Associates, we typically recommend fluoride treatments for children up to and through the early teenage years. Most commonly, fluoride is applied to the teeth using gels, varnishes, toothpastes and over the counter or prescription mouth rinses.

Fluoride can make a tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay. The new tooth mineral that is created by the remineralization process in the presence of fluoride is actually a "harder" mineral compound than existed when the tooth initially formed. Fluoride can also inhibit oral bacteria's ability to create acids. Fluoride decreases the rate at which the bacteria that live in dental plaque can produce acid by disrupting the bacteria and its ability to metabolize sugars. The less sugar the bacteria can consume, the less acidic waste which will be produced and participate in the demineralization process.

We believe that an ounce of prevention can go a long way in helping our patients to have healthier mouths which need less work over time.