Topical vs Oral Fluoride Treatments

Good oral hygiene habits go a long way towards keeping tooth decay at bay, but because some people are more at risk of decay than others, it can also be important to seek professional fluoride treatment from your dentist. Generally you have a couple of different options for fluoride treatments: topical treatments that are applied to the teeth, and oral or systemic treatments that are swallowed.

Topical Fluoride Treatments

Topical treatments are applied directly to the teeth. Examples of topical treatments you can use at home are fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes. Your dentist can also provide additional kinds of fluoride treatments such as gels, foams, and varnishes. Your dentist applies these treatments directly to your teeth or onto a plastic mouth tray, and they're left on for several minutes.

Dentists typically recommend topical fluoride treatments for people who have an increased risk of tooth decay. There are many reasons why this can be the case: among other things, lack of access to regular dental care, alcohol or drug abuse, an eating disorder, decreased saliva production, poor diet, and tooth enamel defects can all contribute to an increased risk of decay, and might prompt extra fluoride treatments.

Oral Fluoride Treatments

Oral fluoride treatments are those that are swallowed. The most common one that most Americans have access to is fluoride-treated drinking water. For people who don't have access to treated water, a dentist will often prescribe oral supplements such as drops, lozenges, or tablets. However, it's unusual for dentists to prescribe extra oral treatments for people who do have access to fluoride-treated water; in these cases the more common recommendation is additional topical treatments.

Which is Best?

When it comes to protecting your teeth, it's important to have a conversation with your dentist on your particular situation.  In fact, the American Dental Association says that for the best tooth protection, it's important to use both methods. Your Lake Zurich dentist will help you gauge what and how much is needed in order to not over fluoride and create separate problems. For example, combining a good at-home oral hygiene routine with professional fluoride treatments from your dentist may be the best way to protect your teeth from decay.

Contact Sandy Point Dental for more information on fluoride treatments and to schedule your next appointment.