why does my dentist or hygienist apply fluoride to my teeth after my clean?

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Many can say that our dentist or hygienist applying fluoride on our teeth is good for us. But how exactly is fluoride effective? An information pamphlet produced by the University of Adelaide summarises the advantages of using fluoride products. Fluoride is great for:

  1. preventing decay from developing on healthy tooth structure
  2. remineralising early decay and root decay
It does this by:
  1. creating a reservoir of calcium fluoride ions at the tooth surface
  2. the reservoir releases fluoride when the pH in the plaque drops
Yes, but why do we need this? As we go through our day, plaque begins to grow and build up around the teeth. When we have something to eat or drink, the pH of the plaque drops and the minerals from the tooth surface are lost into the saliva. This is called demineralisation (see red arrow and ions below). Over time, the pH of the mouth rises again and the tooth tries to pick up the minerals from the saliva. This is remineralisation. Decay happens when there is an imbalance and demineralisation is favoured. A topical fluoride is useful for saturating the tooth surface with minerals that can be taken up and form fluorapatite (see blue arrow and ions below). Fluorapatite is more resistant to demineralisation.   Information and diagram collated from: Fluoride’s Mechanism of Action by Paula M. & Robert V. Fluoride in the surgery On top of the above benefits, a fluoride varnish such as Colgate Duraphat is useful for treating dentine hypersensitivity in the surgery. Duraphat An alternative fluoride varnish available for use in the surgery is GCs MI Varnish pack_circle[1] copy At Paul Trembath Dental, we use a range of fluoride products that have been clinically proven to be effective when used professionally at 6 monthly intervals. These include fluoride varnishes, gels and foams which are chosen to suit your individual needs. We ensure that the products we use in the surgery are safe and carefully administered, especially to young children. Have a talk to us if you would like to know more about fluoride or these products.

Many can say that our dentist or hygienist applying fluoride on our teeth is good for us.

But how exactly is fluoride effective?

An information pamphlet produced by the University of Adelaide summarises the advantages of using fluoride products.

Fluoride is great for:

  1. preventing decay from developing on healthy tooth structure
  2. remineralising early decay and root decay

It does this by:

  1. creating a reservoir of calcium fluoride ions at the tooth surface
  2. the reservoir releases fluoride when the pH in the plaque drops

Yes, but why do we need this?

As we go through our day, plaque begins to grow and build up around the teeth. When we have something to eat or drink, the pH of the plaque drops and the minerals from the tooth surface are lost into the saliva. This is called demineralisation (see red arrow and ions below).

Over time, the pH of the mouth rises again and the tooth tries to pick up the minerals from the saliva. This is remineralisation. Decay happens when there is an imbalance and demineralisation is favoured.

A topical fluoride is useful for saturating the tooth surface with minerals that can be taken up and form fluorapatite (see blue arrow and ions below). Fluorapatite is more resistant to demineralisation.

 

Information and diagram collated from: Fluoride’s Mechanism of Action by Paula M. & Robert V.

Fluoride in the surgery

On top of the above benefits, a fluoride varnish such as Colgate Duraphat is useful for treating dentine hypersensitivity in the surgery.

Duraphat

An alternative fluoride varnish available for use in the surgery is GCs MI Varnish

pack_circle[1] copy

At Paul Trembath Dental, we use a range of fluoride products that have been clinically proven to be effective when used professionally at 6 monthly intervals. These include fluoride varnishes, gels and foams which are chosen to suit your individual needs. We ensure that the products we use in the surgery are safe and carefully administered, especially to young children. Have a talk to us if you would like to know more about fluoride or these products.