Fluoride treatment for adults isn’t just a leftover from childhood dental visits, it’s a powerful preventive tool that many grown-ups desperately need but rarely get. Dr. Todd Canatella provides fluoride treatment for adults in New Orleans, LA, as part of his general dentistry services.
Your mouth fights a daily battle between acid attacks and mineral repair. Every time you eat or drink something sugary or acidic, bacteria produce acids that strip minerals from your teeth. Your saliva works to replace those lost minerals. Sometimes it needs backup as we age, and saliva production naturally decreases.
Many adults assume fluoride treatments end with childhood dental visits. That’s a costly mistake. Professional fluoride treatment delivers concentrations up to 100 times stronger than your daily toothpaste. It can give your teeth a mineral boost that over-the-counter products can’t match.
Step-by-Step Fluoride Treatment for Adults
If you haven’t had a fluoride treatment since you were a kid, it may feel strange to get treatment as an adult. But treatment is quick, easy, and more common than you think. We’ve helped thousands of adult patients through the process at our New Orleans office.
Step 1: A Careful Exam
We start with a full check-up. We’ll look for early signs of tooth decay and check your fillings and crowns to make sure they’re holding up. Dr. Canatella will also ask about any medications you’re taking. That’s important because about two out of three adults take prescriptions, and many of them can cause dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, it’s easier for cavities to form.
Step 2: Choosing Your Fluoride
Next comes the fluoride treatment. The three types of treatment include varnish, gel, or foam. We often recommend a varnish because it stays on the teeth longer.
Step 3: Powerful Protection
Professional fluoride treatments are much stronger than your regular toothpaste. Toothpaste usually has about 1,000 to 1,500 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. In the office, we use fluoride that has 9,000 to 22,600 ppm. That high dose helps stop early decay and makes your tooth enamel stronger.
How often you need fluoride depends on your mouth health. The American Dental Association says some people need treatments every 3 months, while others may only need them once a year. If you have dry mouth, gum problems, or get a lot of cavities, you might need fluoride more often.
As we age, our gums can pull back and expose the roots of our teeth. These roots don’t have the hard enamel that protects the rest of your tooth. That makes them more likely to get cavities. Fluoride treatments protect these spots and lower your risk of tooth decay. One in five people over 65 has untreated decay on these exposed roots.
How Fluoride Works
Fluoride helps stop early tooth damage and can even repair it. It works with your saliva to put important minerals like calcium and phosphate back into your teeth.
Fluoride also fights the bacteria that cause cavities. The strong fluoride we use in the office makes it harder for these bacteria to make the acids that hurt your teeth. This protection can last for several months after your treatment.
Your saliva helps protect your teeth, but fluoride makes it work even better. This helps adults, since many people make less saliva as they get older or take certain medications. Fluoride treatments reduce cavity formation in grown-ups just as effectively as in children.
Who Benefits the Most?
Some adults get more help from fluoride treatments than others. If you fall into one of these groups, it’s a good idea to talk with us about fluoride at your next visit.
You Take Medication
Adults who take medications that cause dry mouth are at the top of the list. Over 500 prescription drugs like allergy meds, antidepressants, blood pressure medicine, and painkillers can slow down how much saliva you make. Without enough saliva, your mouth can’t fight off acids or repair your teeth. Fluoride helps protect your teeth when your natural defenses are low.
You Have Receded Gums
Gum recession is another big reason for fluoride. When your gums pull away from your teeth, they expose the roots. Unlike the tops of your teeth, roots don’t have a hard enamel coating. That makes them more likely to get cavities. People with gum disease or who brush too hard often have this problem. Fluoride varnish gives these areas extra protection.
You Wear Braces
If you wear braces, fluoride can help too. Braces make it harder to keep your teeth clean, which can lead to white spots and cavities. Fluoride treatments during orthodontic care can lower the chances of damage around the brackets.
You Have Dental Work
People with crowns, bridges, or other dental work should also consider fluoride. The edges where your dental work meets your real tooth are easy spots for cavities to form. Fluoride helps protect those areas and keeps your dental work lasting longer.
You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you may need fluoride more often. High blood sugar can dry out your mouth and change the bacteria in it, raising your chances of gum disease and cavities. Fluoride is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy.
You’re a Senior
Seniors often have more than one of these risk factors. Many people over 65 have untreated tooth decay. Changes in saliva, medication use, and trouble brushing well all make cavities more likely. Fluoride treatments can make a big difference in keeping teeth healthy as you get older.
Get Fluoride Treatment Today
Give your teeth the protection they deserve with fluoride treatment for adults in New Orleans, LA. Contact Dr. Canatella today at 504-385-1092. You can also schedule your fluoride treatment online.