Fluoride Strengthening Treatments In Lakewood
Here’s what fluoride’s all about.
Fluoride treatment offers benefits to people who are at risk of tooth decay and sensitivity. It’s also thought of as extra protection for your teeth! It provides preventative care that can help protect you from hefty dental bills down the line.
Toothpaste and mouthwashes usually contain fluoride – but professional treatments contain a lot more. These in-office treatments contain high concentrations of fluoride that your Lakewood dentist or dental hygienist will apply to your teeth.
This type of treatment provides these benefits:
- Slows the growth of cavities
- Reduces the risk of cavities
- Delays the need for expensive dental work
- Attacks the bacteria that causes cavities
Alternatives to Fluoride
Yes, there are alternatives to fluoride. Here’s what we recommend.
Hydroxyapatite! It is basically what your teeth are made of! Hydroxyapatite (HAp), in its natural form, is a form of calcium that makes up 97% of your tooth enamel and 70% of the dentin of your teeth. The rest of your enamel is actually composed of water, collagen, and other proteins.
Hydroxyapatite is biocompatible with your teeth — because it’s the same material as the majority of your tooth structure! Your body recognizes hydroxyapatite as something that belongs there – it helps to remineralize and strengthen the teeth, and helps limit the plaque buildup (biofilm) on the teeth surface.
When it comes to safety, hydroxyapatite is non-toxic. This can be especially helpful for children, who often use too much toothpaste and don’t spit it out. So if a child swallows some hydroxyapatite, there is no risk of any toxicity. In higher doses, fluoride can cause neurotoxicity, or too much can actually cause color changes in the teeth.
Dr. Turner LOVES the products from RiseWell and Boka, and is hoping there will be a professional application of hydroxyapatite soon.
Does Our Lakewood, CO Tap Water Contain Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural-occurring mineral found in many foods, tap water, toothpastes, and mouthwashes.
For over 50 years, most of the tap water in Lakewood, Colorado has contained small amounts of fluoride to help reduce tooth decay. This fluoride in the water works on developing teeth (children). Fluoride is a natural occurring mineral found in your bones and teeth. It is also found naturally in water, soil, plants, rocks, and air. It is often used to strengthen the outer layer of your teeth known as enamel.
Did you know that hydroxyapatite is also the major component of bones? It makes up over 90% of the foundation of our teeth and 60% of our bones.
Does Fluoride Strengthen Teeth That Are Sensitive or Decaying?
Yes, it does! Here’s what we can do at your dental cleaning in Lakewood, CO.
The primary reason you feel tooth sensitivity is because the top layer has broken down and the underlying layers are exposed. The tooth is made up of three layers, each with its own purpose, including:
- Enamel: This is the outermost layer of a tooth. It’s the hardest substance in the human body, but the only substance that doesn’t come back once it’s been damaged. Enamel can wear down over time naturally. It can also wear down quicker from things such as acidic or sugary foods.
- Dentin: This is the layer directly beneath the enamel. It’s composed of tiny tubes that are connected with the nerves of a tooth. When this layer is exposed, it starts to send pain and sensitivity signals to the brain.
- Pulp (very center): This layer consists of blood vessels and nerves. When this is exposed or infected, it sends signals of pain to the brain. It can be VERY sensitive if ever exposed.
When the enamel of a tooth is damaged, it begins to expose the other layers of the tooth, which causes various levels of pain. The earlier enamel breakdown is caught, the less likely a tooth is to become infected.
Tooth sensitivity and decay is not fun, but it is both treatable and preventable. When you come into your dental cleaning appointment, we will first help determine why your teeth are sensitive. Sometimes, it’s related to bruxism or teeth grinding, mouth breathing, a misaligned bite, or something else. Then, we will figure out a treatment plan that works for you. In some cases, we like to apply a fluoride strengthening treatment.
Take Care of Those Teeth!
Here’s how to keep them healthy.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Even on the sleepiest of evenings when you can’t wait to lay your head on your pillow, brushing your teeth is a must. It can be easy to skip this step, but it is the best way to get rid of the germs and plaque that build up on your teeth all day long.
Use the Right Brushing Technique
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
- Remind yourself to not brush too hard!
Brush Your Tongue
Brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. Some toothbrushes actually have a rough back designed for tongue brushing. However, you can also gently brush your tongue with the bristles.
Use Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Try to get a toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite! These substances act as an agent to reduce your teeth’s demineralization process. They help the enamel stay strong and resist breaking down. If you’re at a loss for which to pick, look for the ADA seal of acceptance to ensure you’re getting the best toothpaste for your teeth, or ask your Lakewood dentist!
Don't Forget to Floss Once a Day
Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, so flossing is a must to remove debris. It also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy while reducing plaque buildup. Flossing just once a day will greatly improve your oral health regime and help you take care of your teeth.
Breathe Through the Nose
Breathing through your nose is a MAJOR way to prevent tooth decay! When we breathe through our nose, we warm and humidify the air we are breathing, as well as disinfect it. When we breathe through our mouths, we dehydrate our mouths, lead to more plaque buildup, and change the acidity of the mouth. If you can’t breathe through your nose, that is a red flag that there is something going on with your breathing patterns, jaw structure, or nasal structure. Not being able to breathe through your nose warrants further evaluation, not just for your teeth health, but for your whole body health! Sometimes this is as simple as strengthening the muscles of the lips and tongue. This is called myofunctional therapy, and we see many health improvements by using it!
Drink Lots of Water
Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away debris, sugars, and acidic foods between brushings. Water has many health benefits and should always be the drink of choice throughout the day.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
Last but not least, to take care of your teeth, be sure to visit your dental clinic in Lakewood, CO for a dental cleaning twice a year, or as recommended for your specific needs. This will help your dentist keep an eye on your dental health while also providing professional cleanings to remove plaque.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Strong
Here’s how to keep them healthy and avoid fluoride treatments.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Even on the sleepiest of evenings when you can’t wait to lay your head on your pillow, brushing your teeth is a must. It can be easy to skip this step, but it is the best way to get rid of the germs and plaque that build up on your teeth all day long.
Use the Right Brushing Technique
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
- Remind yourself to not brush too hard!
Brush Your Tongue
Brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. Some toothbrushes actually have a rough back designed for tongue brushing. However, you can also gently brush your tongue with the bristles.
Use Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Try to get a toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite! These substances act as an agent to reduce your teeth’s demineralization process. They help the enamel stay strong and resist breaking down. If you’re at a loss for which to pick, look for the ADA seal of acceptance to ensure you’re getting the best toothpaste for your teeth, or ask your Lakewood dentist!
Don't Forget to Floss Once a Day
Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, so flossing is a must to remove debris. It also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy while reducing plaque buildup. Flossing just once a day will greatly improve your oral health regime and help you take care of your teeth.
Breathe Through the Nose
Breathing through your nose is a MAJOR way to prevent tooth decay! When we breathe through our nose, we warm and humidify the air we are breathing, as well as disinfect it. When we breathe through our mouths, we dehydrate our mouths, lead to more plaque buildup, and change the acidity of the mouth. If you can’t breathe through your nose, that is a red flag that there is something going on with your breathing patterns, jaw structure, or nasal structure. Not being able to breathe through your nose warrants further evaluation, not just for your teeth health, but for your whole body health! Sometimes this is as simple as strengthening the muscles of the lips and tongue. This is called myofunctional therapy, and we see many health improvements by using it!
Drink Lots of Water
Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away debris, sugars, and acidic foods between brushings. Water has many health benefits and should always be the drink of choice throughout the day.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
Last but not least, to take care of your teeth, be sure to visit your dental clinic in Lakewood, CO for a dental cleaning twice a year, or as recommended for your specific needs. This will help your dentist keep an eye on your dental health while also providing professional cleanings to remove plaque.
We’re Not Just Tooth Doctors.
We look at your whole health.
At Fox Point Dental in Lakewood, Colorado, we focus on whole health, functional dentistry. As a functional dentist clinic, we look at the whole you to see the big picture. When you step into our office with a dental problem, we look for the cause of the issue.
Brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting the dentist for dental cleanings are important. But while these help with dental hygiene, they don’t fix the source of the problem. Oftentimes, tooth decay, crooked teeth, bad breath and other common dental issues are a result of airway obstructions, overcrowded mouths, and narrow dental arches from things such as mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing.
By determining the source of the dental problems, we can fix the issues before they get worse. As a functional dentistry practice, it is our goal to not only save you money from preventing future dental procedures but also directly improve the quality of your life.
Our goal is to help you and the ones you love smile confidently, breathe clearer, and live a healthier life. Whether you’re coming in for a preventative dental cleaning or another dental procedure, from infancy to advanced age, we’re looking out for you.