Your tooth enamel is designed to protect the internal structures of your teeth, while also giving you the ability to bite off, chew and grind tough foods. It gets its amazing strength from densely packed microscopic mineral crystals. The density of these mineral crystals helps to prevent the bacteria in your mouth from forming cavities.
Unfortunately, it is possible for the acidic foods and beverages you consume, and the natural processes of the bacteria in your mouth to erode some of the mineral content. This opens up surface areas that can host tooth decay, or even create microscopic channels through the enamel, making you prone to sensitivity issues. Exposure to fluoride helps to restore the mineral structures a microscopic amount.
If you’ve had issues with sensitivity and cavities or you simply aren’t getting adequate fluoride in an average day, Dr. Letitia M. Williams might recommend administering a basic fluoride treatment to restore the strength of your tooth enamel.
If you have well water, or your teeth show significant signs of demineralization, she might also prescribe daily fluoride supplements.
This might come in the form of sublingual tabs, gels, mouth rinse or a concentrated fluoride toothpaste.
Prescription fluoride supplements that are meant to be ingested, must be taken at the appropriate times to be truly effective. If Dr. Letitia M. Williams prescribes fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, it’s best to apply them to your teeth right before going to sleep. Ideally, you want to apply them at a time when you can avoid eating or drinking for at least an hour. This will allow the fluoride to deeply saturate the microscopic contours of your tooth enamel.
If you have questions about fluoride treatments or fluoride supplements, you should call Dr. Letitia M. Williams’s office in Union Springs, Alabama at 334.377.3778 to schedule an appointment.