Dentist tooth cleaning appointment, I have a flouride question...?!
Question: I have dental insurance, every 6 months I've had my teeth cleaned, and never recieved a bill for the past 3 years. Now I had to switch to a new dentist and they want to charge me $41 for fluoride, I did check my insurance and that is about right. Question 1. Do I need to have the fluoride?
apparantly Fluoride is the "rinse and spit" portion of the cleaning, it is $440 but insurance pays most of it except for the $41
Question 2: is there fluoride you can buy at drugstore that is just as effective and not $41.
Answers: I have dental insurance, every 6 months I've had my teeth cleaned, and never recieved a bill for the past 3 years. Now I had to switch to a new dentist and they want to charge me $41 for fluoride, I did check my insurance and that is about right. Question 1. Do I need to have the fluoride?
apparantly Fluoride is the "rinse and spit" portion of the cleaning, it is $440 but insurance pays most of it except for the $41
Question 2: is there fluoride you can buy at drugstore that is just as effective and not $41.
I'd pass on the rinse and spit fluoride treatment. It's not very effective and, if a dentist is going to have you take a fluoride treatment for $41, it should be done with a gel and trays. If you're just going to rinse and spit, use something from the drug or grocery store.....not as strong as what you'd get at a dental office but, over the long run, will work almost as good as you are using it every day.
You have a good dentist that cares about your teeth. Adults should have topical fluoride every four to six months, that's how long it lasts. This will help slow decay process, reduce sensitivity, strength root surface ( if you have an recession). But, like most things insurance companies are behind. They should cover fluoride because it will prevent them from having to pay for fillings, crowns, etc. but they don't for adults over 18, in most cases.
You can buy fluoride at drugstores but it's not going to be the prescription strength that only a dentist can give you.
It is expensive but well worth it in the end.
no you don't have to do it.
#2 its the same and dont cost as much!
My dentist does not give me fluoride. He only gives it to children because there teeth are still developping and need extra care. My dentist told me that when your teeth are at the Adult stage, it's no longer as effective in helping to prevent cavities.
The kind of fluoride that is rinsed with and spit out is not a very effective fluoride treatment for the dental office. It is great for everyday use and that is why they sell fluoride rinse over the counter. Most dental offices do fluoride tray treatments with fluoride gel or foam that you leave the tray in for a few minutes and then it is suctioned out and you can't eat/drink for 30 minutes. Normally, insurance does not pay for these treatments. They can be very beneficial, however daily low dose therapy has been shown to be more effective, most people just won't do the over the counter rinse daily. You may benefit from a fluoride tray therapy, but do not waste money on a rinse one at the office, just go buy a rinse at the store they have many. These treatments are most often done on children since insurance will pay for it for children, but adults need fluoride too. Some offices just give them and don't charge for adults and some don't give them to adults. However, most offices no longer give rinse and spit fluoride treatments in office. They do tray. You can say no and do home daily rinsing. And, this has been proven more effective. Daily vitamins vs. once every 6 months. In response to the above, everyone benefits from fluoride, children the most b/c their teeth are still developing. However, adults also benefit b/c it helps remineralize weakened areas of the teeth that can turn into cavities over time or be turned back into hard enamel with fluoride use. Dental office fluoride trays give a high dose that does help if done every six months or more often like four times a year is better. However, studies show daily fluoride therapy gives a good constant remineralization process to constantly prevent cavities.
No you don't have to have fluoride every 6 months. Most fluoride tx are for children because ins pays for as part of preventive measure. There is fluoride in your water and toothpaste. If you have normal healthy teeth, you don't have to have fluoride every six months. Maybe if you want you can get fluoride tx every other visit.
You didn't mention your age as fluoride treatment relates with age, any ways if you are above 18 then you don't need any fluoride treatment as it will not effect your teeth much, fluoride is used for fissure sealant treatment for kids under the age of 10 to prevent dental caries in future if the child neglects the brushing ,as u think fluoride is the rinse and spit process during the cleaning - wrong concept remember ,fluoride is so concentrated that it should not be in direct contact with soft tissues,as some branded mouth wash contains a diluted proportion of fluoride and some medicated tooth paste have in it.
fluoride is no such to medicine to be easily accessed from drug store in pure form, even if you get it by any means it should be applied clinically under strict supervision of
Dental Hygienist who are well trained for such procedures or a Dentist.