A Fluoride Treatment Can Restore the Mineral Strength of Tooth Enamel

Your teeth have the strength to bite and chew tough foods, thanks to the mineral density of your tooth enamel. Through the course of an average day, it’s possible for the acidic foods and beverages you consume to deplete a minute amount of these minerals. This process, known as demineralization, creates porous areas in the tooth enamel that bacteria can exploit to establish an area of tooth decay.

Long-standing research has found that exposing your teeth to fluoride helps restore the mineral structures of tooth enamel on a microscopic level. This effectively reverses demineralization in a process known as remineralization.

If you’ve had issues with sensitivity and tooth decay or you simply aren’t getting adequate fluoride in an average day, your dentist, Dr. Kaveen might recommend administering a basic fluoride treatment. This will effectively restore the mineral density of your tooth enamel.

To administer the fluoride treatment, your dentist will pour a small amount of concentrated fluoride gel into a tray that is held in your mouth for a few minutes. Afterward, you should avoid eating or drinking for up to an hour to allow the fluoride to deeply penetrate the microscopic areas of your tooth enamel.

In the future, you might want to take measures to maintain the mineral density of your tooth enamel. This might involve limiting your consumption of acidic foods and beverages. Brushing your teeth with a brand of toothpaste with added fluoride will also be very beneficial.

If you are concerned about the strength of your tooth enamel, you should call Portland Dental at (503) 221-8123 to schedule a checkup with a fluoride treatment in Portland, Oregon.