There are a number of habits you can develop to support a quicker treatment process and help maintain strong and clean teeth from day one to the last day of treatment – and onward through the rest of your life!
At Spillers Orthodontics, we are here to help you develop those habits. Whether you choose braces or clear aligners, adding fluoride to your oral hygiene regimen is one of the easiest ways to ensure the best possible treatment results.
Here’s everything you need to know about using fluoride in orthodontic treatment:
What is a fluoride treatment?
Fluoride treatment, also known as a fluoride varnish, is a professional dental cleaning treatment that involves concentrated fluoride applied to teeth. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps strengthen the tooth enamel (outer layer of your teeth) to prevent cavities and tooth decay, and resist damage from sugars, acids and harmful bacteria.
You can receive fluoride treatment from your dentist at your regular cleanings every six months!
What are the benefits of fluoride treatment?
Whether you use fluoride in the form of professional fluoride varnish or other topical fluoride treatment, fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash or foam, fluoride holds a number of powerful benefits for dental health. Fluoride treatment benefits include:
- Remineralizes teeth: Fluoride treatment helps remineralize teeth by strengthening the building blocks in teeth and making them more resistant to mineral loss.
- Prevents cavities: Fluoride strengthens teeth to prevent decay and cavities and can even reverse smaller cavities. Low concentrations of fluoride are added to our drinking water in certain areas around the world, because studies have shown fluoride in drinking water to reduce cavities by 40% to 60%.
- Preserves enamel: Over time, tooth enamel is damaged by bacterias that develop from acids in sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices, and acidic drinks like coffee. Fluoride can help preserve your enamel to slow the deterioration process and promote a strong barrier between food, drinks and the sensitive inner layers of your teeth.
How does fluoride benefit braces or clear aligner treatment?
Using fluoride toothpaste and receiving fluoride varnishes or treatments during orthodontic treatment can support the tooth movement process by helping you maintain strong teeth and bones.
Strong teeth respond best to guidance by clear aligners or braces, and maintaining mineralized teeth can help us reduce treatment time to achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time.
Fluoride can also help prevent white spots that may develop on teeth (with or without orthodontic treatment). White spots develop due to demineralization, or loss of enamel, from plaque and bacteria buildup. Fluoride helps combat damage from plaque and bacteria, preventing white spots from being revealed once your braces are removed.
Using fluoride can also boost your oral hygiene to help you maintain fresh breath and clean teeth! This powerful mineral can help you keep areas clean that aren’t reached by your toothbrush to keep your breath smelling good and your teeth bacteria-free.
Still have questions about fluoride treatment in orthodontics?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We’re more than happy to discuss healthy oral hygiene habits and give you any advice you need to achieve and maintain beautiful teeth.
At your first visit to one of our orthodontist offices in Macon or Warner Robins, we’ll help you explore your treatment options and guide you to make the best decision for your smile.
Ready to get started? Request your complimentary exam with our experienced orthodontists (Dr. Spillers and Dr. Gordon) and our team today!
