Floride for teeth.?!
Question: Please, I don't want to hear any bad things about fluoridated water. That is not the nature of my question. =)
I have never had a cavity before. But my last checkup, on the back molar, the dentist said that there was one spot that was a little thin. She prescribed some high strengh floride to just hold in my mouth for about 15 minutes.
What about over the counter floride rinses? Also, I know baking soda whitens teeth, but does it also have any minerals that strengthen enamel aloso?
Thanks.
Answers: Please, I don't want to hear any bad things about fluoridated water. That is not the nature of my question. =)
I have never had a cavity before. But my last checkup, on the back molar, the dentist said that there was one spot that was a little thin. She prescribed some high strengh floride to just hold in my mouth for about 15 minutes.
What about over the counter floride rinses? Also, I know baking soda whitens teeth, but does it also have any minerals that strengthen enamel aloso?
Thanks.
Since you have never had decay before, you are likely a good candidate for attempting to remineralize your tooth. Decay is a process where a tooth will demineralize and remineralize with it wearing down a little more each time. When your dentist says the area is a little "thin", it means that you have incipient (beginning) decay. Fluoride can help arrest (stop) this process by remineralizing the area.
The over the counter fluoride rinses do not have the same strength as the prescription fluoride he gave you. Use the higher concentration so it can provide the protection he wants for you.
It is important to keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing thoroughly before using the fluoride. Forget about baking soda or whitening toothpaste at this time. None of that matters now. Just make sure that the teeth are clean so the fluoride can penetrate the surface enamel and create a harder enamel, more resistant to decay.
Actually......the baking soda wears down the enamel! So, only use it once every 2 days.....
Our office usually recommends Act fluoride rinse. You simply brush and floss your teeth first and then swish a small amount for a full minute. After spitting it out, don't rinse out your mouth or eat or drink anything for another 30 minute, so bedtime is a great time to do this.
This isn't as strong as prescription fluoride, but it's still a good (not to mention cheap!) way to get that extra fluoride.
And no, baking soda is no good.