Fluoride Treatment in Houston, TX

At Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress, we offer fluoride varnish treatments, which can help protect your family from tooth decay. Fluoride is a natural element found in water, certain foods, and soil and is noted by the American Dental Association (ADA), World Health Organization (WHO), American Medical Association (AMA), and other medical groups for the cavity-preventing effects it has on teeth. When cities or municipalities add fluoride to their drinking water, they often experience a reduced prevalence of cavities among their citizens. Fluoride paste strengthens teeth and bones and can be an important part of preventing cavities in patients of all ages.

As a part of a comprehensive solution, our dentist may recommend in-office fluoride treatments during your and your family's routine dental cleaning and prescription fluoride toothpaste or supplements for use at home. Patients of any age who are prone to tooth decay may benefit from professional fluoride treatments. Discover how fluoride can protect your family's smiles and minimize the need for later care by reaching out to our friendly Houston, TX dental practice today.

Patients of all ages may be able to minimize the chance of developing tooth decay with professional fluoride varnish treatments. Lots of people use over-the-counter toothpaste containing fluoride, but this may not be enough. Children and teens are at a much higher risk for cavities and are excellent candidates for receiving in-office fluoride treatments. Adults with a history of gum recession or tooth decay may also need the support given through the application of fluoride treatments. Those who do not drink fluoridated city water may benefit from the additional protection provided by supplemental or in-office fluoride. It can be possible for some patients to use fluoride to re-mineralize early cavity formation (incipient lesions), reducing the need for restorations like crowns or fillings. Comfortable and easy, professional fluoride treatments from Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress may be applied in varnish, foam, or gel form in a range of flavor options to suit your taste. Prescriptions for at-home fluoride methods may be provided by our dentist if needed to protect the teeth of patients who are at a greater risk for decay.

You may receive your in-office fluoride treatments during your bi-annual cleaning and exam appointments. Some patients may benefit only need to receive a fluoride treatment once a year, and others may benefit from twice-yearly applications. After your cleaning, we apply the fluoride by painting it onto the teeth. It is then carried in between the teeth and into chewing surface grooves by your saliva. We use mouth trays to keep gel and foam fluoride applications in contact with the teeth. These trays stay in the mouth for about 1 – 4 minutes, depending on the type of solution used. Once complete, the fluoride paste is suctioned out of the mouth, and follow-up instructions are provided.

It is important to avoid drinking or eating for 30 minutes after the fluoride varnish application to give it a chance to be absorbed into the tooth structure. It is best to wait several hours before eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, as this can disrupt the absorption process. If your child has been prescribed prescription or over-the-counter fluoride products, they should be closely supervised during use since the consumption of fluoride can lead to nausea and even be dangerous in large amounts. Combining fluoride to strengthen the teeth and prevent tooth decay with excellent home care and routine cleaning visits can help your family enjoy happy and healthy smiles for years to come.

Professional fluoride treatments are usually covered by dental insurance once or twice a year for children because they are a preventive procedure. We will reach out to your provider and go over the coverage available for patients who are teens and adults. If you are paying out of pocket for your family's care, we can help you find a solution to make your care easier to budget for. Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress is happy to work with most PPO plans and offers several convenient payment options, like in-office payment plans and third-party financing through CareCredit®.

When should a child start incorporating fluoride toothpaste? 
It is advised that your child start using fluoride paste at three years of age. If you have questions about the correct amount of fluoride toothpaste to give your child, ask our dentist at their next appointment.

How much does fluoride varnish make in protecting against tooth decay? 
Fluoride varnish can decrease the likelihood of tooth decay because it works as a protective barrier on your teeth. This protective barrier strengthens the enamel to help protect against cavities. To learn additional information on the barrier that fluoride places on teeth and how it helps, schedule an appointment in our office.

Can you have too much fluoride? 
It is our job to monitor our patient's teeth closely. This includes only placing dental fluoride paste when it is essential. Fluoride paste can be applied up to four times a year or around every three months. If you have water without fluoride, we will closely monitor your teeth to ensure that you get what is necessary to help your teeth.

With professional fluoride varnish treatments from Made Ya Smile Spring Cypress, your family's oral health can be more fully supported. Our dentist may recommend fluoride when you visit for your cleaning and exam visits to help prevent cavities and re-mineralize areas exhibiting early signs of decay. Find out how fluoride may benefit your loved ones by getting in touch with our Houston, TX family practice today.