Fluoride TreatmentHere at Pacific Ave. Dental in Bremerton, WA we want all of our patients to have a smile that lasts them a lifetime, which is why we offer fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that works to strengthen the enamel of your teeth. Many cities put fluoride in their drinking water, but some do not, and those who rely on well-water don’t receive the benefits that fluoride offers.
What is Fluoride?Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally and possesses the unique ability to restore and revitalize the enamel that helps to protect our teeth. Interestingly, fluoride plays a critical role in the development of teeth for children. As the teeth are forming in children, before they have broken through the gums fluoride is pulled from the things they eat and drink, and strengthens the enamel of their teeth. This process of strengthening teeth before eruption from the gum line helps to protect the teeth against cavity-causing bacteria.
What is Enamel?Your teeth are made up of three distinct layers—the enamel, dentin, and the pulp. The enamel is the outer most layer of the tooth and makes up a relatively small portion of the tooth. The dentin makes up a large portion of the tooth and is the middle layer. The dentin makes up most of the structure of a tooth. The pulp is the inner-most layer of a tooth and is made up of soft, fleshy pulp that surrounds the root.
The enamel is the hardest portion of the tooth and serves as a protective shield for the rest of the tooth. The hard structure of enamel helps us to chew hard and soft foods alike. Enamel is not replenished. Instead, you have a certain amount, and it will inevitably wear away over time. The one thing we have control over is how quickly enamel wears away. By taking good care of our teeth we can halt the loss of enamel over time, or slow it to such an extent that the loss is almost non-existent. Regular brushing and flossing is, of course, the best way to take care of your enamel and your teeth. Another way to keep your teeth in great shape is to have regular fluoride treatments.
Fluoride TreatmentsWe can apply fluoride directly to your teeth to ensure that they stay happy and healthy for years to come. The professional fluoride treatment process is simple, fast, and extremely cost-effective. There are a few different ways that we can apply fluoride to your teeth, the most popular being gels, liquids, and trays. All of these fluoride treatments require about a minute of your time where you will be sitting in our examination chair, allowing the fluoride to make contact with your teeth. After a minute or two we will allow you to rinse your mouth out, and that is it!
If you are interested in having a fluoride treatment, just call us today at (360) 373-3515 and schedule an appointment. Alternatively, the next time you are in for your six months cleaning and examination, ask for a fluoride treatment, we will be happy to help!